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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

Jan 9, 2020

President Zelenskyy’s New Year message misreads Ukraine’s patriotic progress

By Taras Kuzio

President Zelenskyy used his traditional New Year's Eve address to celebrate Ukrainian diversity but his attempt to downplay the importance of national symbols was not well-received by Ukrainians who feel increasingly self-confident about their national identity

Democratic Transitions Ukraine

UkraineAlert

Jan 9, 2020

Beyond the impeachment drama: Why Ukraine matters to America

By Mark Temnycky

The impeachment of President Donald Trump has thrust relations between the United States and Ukraine into the spotlight, but some in the United States have yet to appreciate the importance of bilateral ties for broader American interests on the global stage.

Conflict Politics & Diplomacy

UkraineAlert

Jan 9, 2020

Prisoner exchange lifts the veil on Russia’s hybrid war against Ukraine

By Adrian Karatnycky

Moscow's insistence on the inclusion of figures with no apparent relationship to the conflict in eastern Ukraine during a recent prisoner exchange has exposed the nationwide scale of Russia's hybrid hostilities against Ukraine.

Conflict Non-Traditional Threats

UkraineAlert

Jan 6, 2020

Ukraine’s underrated economy is poised for a strong 2020

By Anders Åslund

Ukraine's economy is currently in far better shape than many people realise. In order to build on the firm foundations laid by recent years of structural reforms, the process must now continue to include a comprehensive cleansing of the country's law enforcement architecture

Corruption Economy & Business

UkraineAlert

Jan 4, 2020

Can frontline disengagements help Ukraine secure a lasting ceasefire with Putin?

By Vera Zimmerman

The path to peace in eastern Ukraine remains unclear, but localized troop withdrawals in recent months have led to renewed hopes of a reduction in the bloodshed. Can further disengegement pave the way for a lasting ceasefire?

Conflict Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

UkraineAlert

Jan 2, 2020

Russia set to escalate fight against Ukrainian Orthodox independence in 2020

By Khrystyna Karelska and Andreas Umland

Moscow's refusal to accept the January 2019 decision to grant Ukraine Orthodox independence has split the entire Orthodox world. The schism is likely to worsen in 2020 as Russia fights to prevent the loss of a crucial foothold within Ukrainian society.

Civil Society Russia

UkraineAlert

Jan 2, 2020

Why we must talk to Russia

By Samuel Charap and Jeremy Shapiro

Right to reply: the Atlantic Council’s UkraineAlert recent published an article by Anders Aslund critical of the October 2019 RAND report “A Consensus Proposal for a Revised Regional Order in Post-Soviet Europe and Eurasia”. This article is a response to Aslund from two of the report’s authors.

Conflict Politics & Diplomacy

UkraineAlert

Dec 26, 2019

Russia-Ukraine War: Is peace possible in 2020?

By Peter Dickinson

The Russia-Ukraine War enters its seventh year in 2020 with no sign of a compromise that could end the conflict. Could recent efforts to restart the peace process produce results during the coming twelve months?

Conflict Politics & Diplomacy

UkraineAlert

Dec 24, 2019

Ukraine’s government must not undermine growing business optimism in 2020

By Andy Hunder

88% of Ukraine's American Chamber of Commerce member companies reported increased revenues in 2019. However, concerns remain that the Ukrainian authorities could yet spoil this positive picture during the coming year.

Corruption Economy & Business

UkraineAlert

Dec 22, 2019

Trump blocks Putin’s pipeline with US sanctions

By Diane Francis

Only weeks away from completion, new US sanctions force Nord Stream 2 contractor to down tools, placing the pipeline's future in jeopardy.

Geopolitics & Energy Security Oil and Gas

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The views expressed in UkraineAlert are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Atlantic Council, its staff, or its supporters.

The Eurasia Center’s mission is to enhance transatlantic cooperation in promoting stability, democratic values, and prosperity in Eurasia, from Eastern Europe and Turkey in the West to the Caucasus, Russia, and Central Asia in the East.

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UkraineAlert

Apr 21, 2020

Ban on farmland sales to foreigners risks starving Ukraine of investment

By Bate Toms

Ukraine has recently moved to end a two-decade ban on the sale of farmland, but restrictions on purchases by foreigners will remain in place and threaten to block a key source of international investment.

Economy & Business Ukraine

UkraineAlert

Apr 21, 2020

Ukraine cannot stay neutral in Putin’s history war

By Oleksiy Goncharenko

Russian leader Vladimir Putin has sought to enforce his version of history on Ukraine as part of efforts to dominate the country. It is time for Ukraine to fight back and establish its own national narratives.

Russia Ukraine

UkraineAlert

Apr 21, 2020

Coronavirus proves what Ukrainians already knew—the UN doesn’t work

By Pavlo Klimkin and Andreas Umland

The coronavirus crisis has left the United Nations badly exposed. This has not come as a surprise to many in Ukraine, where distrust of the UN has been strong since the start of Russian aggression in 2014.

Coronavirus Ukraine

UkraineAlert

Apr 16, 2020

Coronavirus pandemic: Ukraine flies to the rescue

By Alyona Getmanchuk

Ukrainian cargo planes are currently delivering vital anti-coronavirus medical supplies from China to NATO member countries, underlining Ukraine's value as a strategic partner of the Euro-Atlantic community.

Coronavirus NATO

UkraineAlert

Apr 15, 2020

Russian Church in Ukraine fuels coronavirus outbreak

By Victor Tregubov

The Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine has emerged as a key source of coronavirus infection in the country over the past week after church officials refused to follow government lock down guidelines.

Coronavirus Ukraine

UkraineAlert

Apr 14, 2020

Zelenskyy puts Ukraine’s Maidan Revolution on trial

By Adrian Karatnycky

Criminal charges against prominent Ukrainian activist Tetyana Chornovol represent a watershed moment in the country's modern history that risks putting Ukraine's entire Maidan Revolution on trial.

Democratic Transitions Rule of Law

UkraineAlert

Apr 13, 2020

Why appeasing Putin in Ukraine won’t work

By Paul D’Anieri

Western leaders are eager for a deal to end the undeclared war between Russia and Ukraine, but any attempt to appease Putin risks encouraging further imperial aggression, writes Paul D’Anieri.

Conflict Politics & Diplomacy

UkraineAlert

Apr 13, 2020

Does Zelenskyy’s Ukraine still want to join NATO?

By Tetiana Gaiduk

Since the onset of Russian aggression in 2014, Ukraine has pursued closer ties with NATO. However, recent changes at the Ministry of Defense have raised concerns over Ukraine's continued commitment to NATO integration.

NATO NATO Partnerships

UkraineAlert

Apr 10, 2020

Breadbasket Ukraine must not prohibit grain exports

By Anders Åslund

Ukrainian policymakers are reportedly discussing the prohibition of grain exports. This could have a disastrous impact on the economy while also damaging ties with Ukraine's international partners.

International Financial Institutions Trade and tariffs

UkraineAlert

Apr 8, 2020

Beyond east versus west: Ukraine must go global

By Viktor Karvatskyy

The coronavirus crisis is a globally disruptive event that gives Ukraine an opportunity to rethink the country's geopolitical trajectory and move beyond the traditional foreign policy of east versus west.

Politics & Diplomacy Ukraine