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As the world watches the Russian invasion of Ukraine unfold, UkraineAlert delivers the best Atlantic Council expert insight and analysis on Ukraine twice a week directly to your inbox.

editor’s picks

Latest analysis

UkraineAlert

Nov 27, 2021

Vladimir Putin’s Ukraine obsession could spark a major European war

By Andriy Zagorodnyuk, Alexander Khara

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s Ukraine obsession could spark the largest European conflict since WWII. With Russian troops massed on the Ukrainian border, Western leaders must demonstrate their readiness to back Ukraine and impose crushing costs on the Kremlin.

Conflict
Cybersecurity

UkraineAlert

Nov 23, 2021

How to Deter Russia Now

By Daniel Fried, John E. Herbst, Alexander Vershbow

With Russian troops once more massing on the Ukrainian border, the United States and Europe must make clear to the Kremlin that they stand with Ukraine and will impose serious costs in the event of an offensive.

Conflict
European Union

UkraineAlert

Nov 23, 2021

Vladimir Putin is testing the “weak” West in Ukraine and Poland

By Taras Kuzio

Russia’s current military build-up on the Ukrainian border is part of Vladimir Putin’s hybrid war against the democratic world and an attempt to exploit what many in the Kremlin perceive to be Western “weakness.”

Belarus
Conflict

UkraineAlert

Nov 21, 2021

Vladimir Putin’s slow-motion annexation of east Ukraine continues

By Peter Dickinson

As international leaders and the world’s media speculate over Moscow’s latest military build-up on the Ukrainian border, Russian President Vladimir Putin is quietly proceeding with the slow-motion annexation of east Ukraine.

Conflict
European Union

UkraineAlert

Nov 20, 2021

Defensive Putin accuses West of ignoring Russian red lines

By Anders Åslund

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s November 18 foreign policy speech to Russian diplomats was one of the most defensive performances of his 21-year reign, argues Anders Åslund.

Conflict
National Security

UkraineAlert

Nov 18, 2021

Why wartime Ukraine’s defense minister must be a civilian

By Andriy Zagorodnyuk

The recent appointment of Oleksiy Reznikov as Ukraine’s new defense minister is a step in the right direction away from the Soviet model towards NATO standards of civilian control over the Ukrainian armed forces.

Defense Industry
Defense Policy

UkraineAlert

Nov 16, 2021

New book recounts prisoner torture in Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine

By Andrew D’Anieri

A new book by Ukrainian journalist Stanislav Aseyev seeks to raise international awareness of the secret prisons in Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine where detainees are subjected to grave human rights abuses.

Conflict
Human Rights

Event Recap

Nov 16, 2021

What happened to the Kyiv Post?

By Eurasia Center

On November 8, a single article appeared on the Kyiv Post’s website. It’s message: The newspaper would shut down for a “for a short time.” But there might be more to the story. Melinda Haring dives in with former writers and editors with the Kyiv Post.

Civil Society
Media

UkraineAlert

Nov 15, 2021

Escalating Belarus border crisis could pose a security threat to Ukraine

By Bohdan Nahaylo

The escalating migrant crisis on the Polish-Belarusian border poses a potential threat to Ukraine, which shares a long and vulnerable 1,000 km border with Belarus and could serve as an alternative route into the EU.

Belarus
Conflict

UkraineAlert

Nov 15, 2021

New US-Ukraine Charter underlines American commitment to Ukrainian security

By Anders Åslund

The new US-Ukraine Charter on Strategic Partnership adopted on November 10 underlines American support for Ukrainian security and US concerns over the possibility of further Russian aggression.

Disinformation
Non-Traditional Threats

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Content

New Atlanticist

Dec 7, 2020

Belarusian opposition leader’s message to the West: ‘Stay with us and we will win’

By David A. Wemer

Explicit support from Western governments for the Belarusian people and stronger pressure on Lukashenka and his allies will help oust the regime and allow for new elections, Tsikhanouskaya said. “Stay with us and we will win.”

Belarus
Civil Society

UkraineAlert

Dec 7, 2020

Ukraine’s community spirit on display as businesses rally to counter COVID crisis

By Andy Hunder

Ukraine's business community has demonstrated an admirable sense of corporate social responsibility during this year's COVID crisis, says American Chamber of Commerce President Andy Hunder

Coronavirus
Ukraine

UkraineAlert

Dec 7, 2020

We will not let the old guard drag Ukraine backwards

By Dmytro Kuleba

The old guard wants to drag Ukraine back to the times when they could siphon public money off with impunity and play Russian-style politics. We will not let them succeed, says Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.

Corruption
Democratic Transitions

UkraineAlert

Dec 1, 2020

It’s time to start treating Ukraine’s corrupt judiciary as a criminal syndicate

By Mykhailo Zhernakov

Ukraine's justice system currently operates as a criminal syndicate and requires a complete overhaul if the country is to have any hope of achieving fundamental reform, argues Mykhailo Zhernakov.

Corruption
Political Reform

UkraineAlert

Dec 1, 2020

Naftogaz reforms in danger

By Diane Francis

Along with the country’s other anti-corruption success stories, Ukraine's Naftogaz is coming under pressure from malevolent forces intent on recapturing state enterprises and turning back the clock.

Energy Markets & Governance
Geopolitics & Energy Security

UkraineAlert

Nov 30, 2020

No IMF funding for Ukraine until Zelenskyy earns trust

By Anders Åslund

Unless Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy comprehensively changes his policies and staff, the IMF is extremely unlikely to offer his government any more credits, says Anders Åslund.

Corruption
Democratic Transitions

UkraineAlert

Nov 27, 2020

Biden picks Antony Blinken: Good news for Ukraine?

By Peter Dickinson

As the countdown continues towards President Biden's inauguration, the Atlantic Council asked experts for their opinions on what the selection of Antony Blinken means for US-Ukrainian ties.

Conflict
Politics & Diplomacy

UkraineAlert

Nov 26, 2020

Ukraine arrives at a new anti-corruption crossroads

By Miriam Kosmehl

With Ukraine’s anti-corruption measures finally beginning to produce results, the old elites have hit back via the Constitutional Court in a bid to derail the country's ambitious reform agenda.

Corruption
Democratic Transitions

UkraineAlert

Nov 24, 2020

Ukraine must study the economic foundations of Azerbaijan’s military success

By Vladislav Inozemtsev

Ukraine must learn from Azerbaijan and look to create a strong economy built on modern technologies and broad international cooperation before seeking to regain Russian-occupied regions of the country.

Conflict
Economy & Business

UkraineAlert

Nov 24, 2020

Strengthening ties between NATO, Ukraine and Georgia

By Alyona Getmanchuk, Irakli Porchkhidze, Sergiy Solodkyy

Ukraine and Georgia both feature among NATO's six Enhanced Opportunities Partners but the two former Soviet republics seek greater integration as they continue to push for eventual NATO membership.

NATO Partnerships
Non-Traditional Threats