Stay Updated

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

Dec 21, 2023

Putin scents historic victory amid growing signs of Western weakness

By
Peter Dickinson

Recent indications of growing Russian confidence in victory over Ukraine owe much more to Western weakness than to the Kremlin’s own military might, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict
Defense Technologies


UkraineAlert

Dec 20, 2023

Ukrainian telecoms hack highlights cyber dangers of Russia’s invasion

By
Mercedes Sapuppo

An unprecedented December 12 cyber attack on Ukraine’s largest telecoms operator Kyivstar left tens of millions of Ukrainians without mobile services and underlined the cyber warfare potential of Russia’s ongoing invasion, writes Mercedes Sapuppo.

Conflict
Cybersecurity


UkraineAlert

Dec 19, 2023

Wartime Ukraine’s European energy integration continues

By
Aura Sabadus

Ukraine has been invited to join Europe’s leading electricity infrastructure association in January 2024 as the country’s remarkable wartime European energy sector integration continues, writes Aura Sabadus.

Conflict
Energy Markets & Governance


UkraineAlert

Dec 19, 2023

Ukraine’s EU accession process faces bureaucratic and political hurdles

By
James Batchik

The European Council’s recent decision to open accession negotiations with Ukraine was a momentous moment both for Kyiv and the European Union. Now the serious work begins, writes James Batchik.

Civil Society
Conflict


UkraineAlert

Dec 18, 2023

Support Ukraine today or fight Russia tomorrow

By
Oleksandr Zavitnevych

The threat posed by Vladimir Putin’s revisionist agenda can no longer be downplayed or denied. Instead, the choice facing Western leaders is simple: Support Ukraine today or fight Russia tomorrow, writes Oleksandr Zavitnevych.

Conflict
Defense Policy


UkraineAlert

Dec 17, 2023

2024 preview: The West must decide if it wants Ukraine to win

By
Richard D. Hooker, Jr.

If Western leaders fail to provide Ukraine with the weapons to defeat Putin in 2024, this will significantly increase the likelihood of a direct military confrontation between Russia and NATO, writes Richard D. Hooker Jr.

Conflict
Defense Technologies


UkraineAlert

Dec 14, 2023

Historic breakthrough for Ukraine as EU agrees to begin membership talks

By
Peter Dickinson

European leaders have agreed to officially start EU membership talks with Ukraine in a morale-boosting victory for Ukrainians as they defend their country against Russia’s ongoing invasion, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict
Democratic Transitions


UkraineAlert

Dec 14, 2023

Russia and China are part of the same problem for the United States

By
Glenn Chafetz

China and Russia act together as an autocratic axis to endanger the United States and its democratic allies, writes Glenn Chafetz. Any attempt to appease Russia in Ukraine would only benefit China and weaken the US.

China
Conflict


UkraineAlert

Dec 12, 2023

Ukraine’s AI road map seeks to balance innovation and security

By
Mykhailo Fedorov

As the world grapples with the implications of rapidly evolving Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies, Ukraine has recently presented a national road map for AI regulation that seeks to balance the core values of innovation and security, writes Ukraine’s Minister for Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov.

Artificial Intelligence
Conflict


UkraineAlert

Dec 12, 2023

New Polish PM Donald Tusk vows “full mobilization” of West to help Ukraine

By
Peter Dickinson

Poland’s newly appointed Prime Minister Donald Tusk has vowed to rally Western support for Ukraine as it continues to defend itself against Russia’s ongoing invasion, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict
Defense Industry

spotlight

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.

Follow us on social media
and support our work

Content

UkraineAlert

Jan 11, 2017

Ten Things You Should Know about Russian Involvement in Ukraine

By Vitalii Rybak

Russian President Vladimir Putin denies involvement in the conflict in Ukraine’s east. Despite his continued denials of Russia’s involvement in the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) and Luhansk People’s Republic (LPR), a growing body of evidence casts doubts on his claims. Here are ten things everyone needs to know about Russian involvement in Ukraine. 1. […]

Russia Ukraine

UkraineAlert

Jan 11, 2017

The Fight for Ukraine Is Still Not Over

By Ilya Yashin

Russian President Vladimir Putin uses a broad array of tools to keep Ukraine in Russia’s sphere of influence and destabilize Ukraine’s current government. These tools include propaganda, financial support of loyal parties and journalists, corruption, economic pressure, political blackmail, and direct military intervention. Others have documented these tools well. I see four ways Putin is […]

Russia Ukraine

UkraineAlert

Jan 10, 2017

Russia’s Crimea Bridge Could Collapse Anytime

By Halya Coynash

Russian President Vladimir Putin has called construction of a bridge between Russia and occupied Crimea a “historic mission.” He should pay better attention to history. This mission is doomed to failure, and not only because of sanctions. Experts warn that even if the bridge now under construction can be finished, its chances of standing for […]

Russia Ukraine

UkraineAlert

Jan 10, 2017

Negotiating with Russia: A Scenario for Success

By Stephen Blank

Despite the flood of post-election pundits advising President-elect Donald Trump on how to approach Russia, few have offered any understanding of Moscow’s aims. But Russian President Vladimir Putin’s government has not hidden what it wants. It seeks an end to sanctions, recognition of Crimea as part of Russia, demilitarization of NATO in the Baltic and […]

Russia Ukraine

UkraineAlert

Jan 9, 2017

Walk Down My Block in Kyiv and Take Ukraine’s Economic Pulse

By James Brooke

When assessing Ukraine, armchair economists love the macro perspective: sweeping views based on large data sets. Let’s look at the micro. Despite the fresh snow, let’s walk my 150-meter long block on Rohnidynska Street and take the pulse of Ukraine’s economy. One year after I signed my apartment lease, six original businesses survive on my […]

Ukraine

UkraineAlert

Jan 9, 2017

Onyshchenko’s Charges against Poroshenko Are Thin, but Case Unlikely to Fade

By John E. Herbst

Over the past six months, the case of Oleksandr Onyshchenko has gripped Ukraine. It is an important case, touching on the country’s hopes and disappointments concerning the scourge of corruption. The case burst on the political scene in the spring, when the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) brought charges against Onyshchenko, a businessman and Rada member. […]

Ukraine

UkraineAlert

Jan 3, 2017

Is Russia Planning a Major Land War against Ukraine?

By Alexander J. Motyl

Recent evidence suggest that Russia may be planning a major land war against Ukraine. While Russian President Vladimir Putin talks peace, several leading Russian analysts have explicitly endorsed the “Syrian variant” with respect to Ukraine. Are they speaking for themselves or are they acting on behalf of the regime, sending out trial balloons in order […]

Russia Ukraine

UkraineAlert

Jan 3, 2017

How to End the War in Ukraine in 2017

By Valentyn Nalyvaichenko

Victor Pinchuk’s recent opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal, “Ukraine Must Make Painful Compromises for Peace with Russia,” does not take into account that any plan for Ukraine’s temporarily occupied territories must first consider the will of the people living in those territories and seek their betterment. During a recent trip to Washington, DC, […]

Russia Ukraine

UkraineAlert

Jan 3, 2017

2017 Should Be the Year Ukraine’s Economy Takes Off

By Anders Åslund

Three years after the Revolution of Dignity, the Ukrainian economy has stabilized and is ready for growth. Will the growth be fast or slow? Dangers lie ahead, but opportunities prevail. Success is easily taken for granted, so it is worth recalling what Ukraine has accomplished in the past three years.

Russia Ukraine

UkraineAlert

Dec 21, 2016

Why I’m Optimistic about Ukraine’s Reforms in 2017

By Oksana Bedratenko

Following decades of neglect, there is real progress in Ukraine’s healthcare sector. Thanks to the efforts of reformers in the Ministry of Health, pressure from civil society, and the support of international donors, the sector is seeing reduced corruption and clear prospects for reform. The healthcare sector had been a magnet for large-scale corruption for […]

Ukraine