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War in Ukraine

Three years on

Three years since the invasion, Atlantic Council experts are assessing the state of the war and the prospects for peace—and forecasting what the future holds for Ukraine, Russia, NATO, the United States.

Ukraine Russia
War in Ukraine

New Atlanticist Jun 27, 2025

Trump’s approach to Russia and its war on Ukraine is evolving, not in one big leap, but in several smaller steps

Both Trump’s strikes on Iran and his statements at the NATO Summit signaled an evolution toward a tougher line on Moscow.

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War in Ukraine

UkraineAlert Jun 26, 2025

Russia’s persecution of the Crimean Tatars must not be forgotten

By Mercedes Sapuppo

Events will take place across Ukraine this week to mark Crimean Tatar Flag Day. However, there will be no celebrations in Crimea itself, writes Mercedes Sapuppo.

Conflict Human Rights
War in Ukraine

UkraineAlert Jun 24, 2025

North Korea is playing a key role in Russia’s war against Ukraine

By Olivia Yanchik

North Korea is playing an increasingly vital support role in Russia’s war against Ukraine. This includes providing the Kremlin with vast quantities of ammunition, ballistic missiles, and thousands of men, writes Olivia Yanchik.

Defense Industry Defense Technologies
War in Ukraine

UkraineAlert Jun 23, 2025

‘All of Ukraine is ours’: Putin’s Russian imperialism is now on full display

By Peter Dickinson

Putin declared last week that “all of Ukraine is ours.” The Kremlin dictator’s revealing comments highlight the resurgent Russian imperialism driving Europe’s largest invasion since WWII, writes Peter Dickinson.
Conflict Disinformation
War in Ukraine

UkraineAlert Jun 19, 2025

New EU and US energy sanctions are needed to disarm Putin’s war machine

By Aura Sabadus

The EU and US have prepared measures that could dramatically weaken Russia’s energy weapon and undermine Putin’s war machine. The question now is whether they have the political leadership to proceed, writes Aura Sabadus.
Conflict Economic Sanctions
War in Ukraine

UkraineAlert Jun 17, 2025

Russia and Ukraine are locked in an economic war of attrition

By Anders Åslund

As the Russian army continues to wage a brutal war of attrition in Ukraine, the two nations are also locked in an economic contest that could play a key role in determining the outcome of Europe’s largest invasion since World War II, writes Anders Åslund.
Conflict Corruption

WATCH

“Putin’s endgame: The stakes beyond Ukraine,” an Atlantic Council documentary

Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine may be closer to its end than its beginning. How it ends will matter not only for Ukraine, but for the whole of Europe and the wider world. The first-ever documentary from the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center, “Putin’s endgame: The stakes beyond Ukraine,” discusses the threat of Russian aggression beyond Ukraine and the dangers it poses to US interests today and in the future.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Online Event Mon, July 14, 2025 • 2:00 pm ET

Report launch: Russia’s future rulers
Corruption Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy Populism
Online Event Wed, July 16, 2025 • 10:00 am ET

Digital occupation: Inside Russia’s Telegram battle in Ukraine
Conflict Disinformation Europe & Eurasia Russia

PAST EVENTS

Public Event Wed, June 25, 2025 • 10:00 am ET

New findings: Russian aerial attacks amount to extermination and persecution
Civil Society Conflict Crisis Management Russia
Online Event Tue, June 17, 2025 • 1:00 pm ET

Drones, defense, and diplomacy: Negotiations and the battlefield in Ukraine
Conflict Defense Technologies Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy
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Content

In the News

Feb 26, 2025

Kroenig interviewed on BBC World Service on President Trump’s rhetoric and actions on Ukraine

On February 24, Matthew Kroenig, vice president and senior director of the Scowcroft Center, was interviewed on BBC World Service on the Trump administration’s approach to ending the war in Ukraine. He notes that President Trump’s actions are consistent with his presidential campaign rhetoric, as well as his actions during his first term. He asks […]

Politics & Diplomacy Russia

New Atlanticist

Feb 26, 2025

Why the US should not lift sanctions against Russia

By Charles Lichfield

Sanctions are having an unmistakable effect, albeit below the inflated expectations of many in the West in early 2022. Lifting them now would be a mistake.

Conflict Economic Sanctions

Fast Thinking

Feb 26, 2025

Digging into the US-Ukraine minerals deal

By Atlantic Council

Everything you need to know about the reported Trump-Zelenskyy economic pact on Ukraine’s natural resources.

Conflict Economy & Business

UkraineAlert

Feb 25, 2025

US sides with Russia against Ukraine and Europe at the United Nations

By Shelby Magid

A diplomatic clash at the UN has illustrated the dramatic divide that has emerged between the United States and Europe since the inauguration of US President Donald Trump just over one month ago, writes Shelby Magid.

Conflict Freedom and Prosperity

In the News

Feb 25, 2025

Eftimiades quoted in a The Bureau article entitled, “Inside The Massive PRC Intelligence Machine Working On US Soil”

By Atlantic Council

On February 17, Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Nicholas Eftimiades was quoted in a The Bureau article entitled, “Inside The Massive PRC Intelligence Machine Working On US Soil,” where he briefed security experts on his upcoming book. The article notes the importance of Eftimiades’ new book, drawing “insights from nearly 900 cases, including Linda Sun, […]

China Intelligence

In the News

Feb 25, 2025

Eftimiades interviewed by NTD on Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence

By Atlantic Council

On February 17, Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Nicholas Eftimiades was interviewed on NTD Evening News on the confirmation of Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence. In the interview, Eftimiades spoke to Gabbard’s national security priorities and understanding of strategic threats to the United States today.

China Defense Policy

In the News

Feb 25, 2025

Horodyskyy in European Pravda: Protection from Orbán: how Trump “suspended” the future of Russian assets and what the EU plans to do
Conflict Economic Sanctions

In the News

Feb 25, 2025

Katz in Travels and Observations: Putin avoided a Syrian quagmire, but not in the way he wanted to

By Atlantic Council

Middle East Political Reform

In the News

Feb 25, 2025

Cooper quoted in The Week on Russia’s loss in Syria

By Atlantic Council

Middle East Political Reform

In the News

Feb 25, 2025

Cooper quoted in ABC News Australia on Russia’s foothold in Syria

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Middle East
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