An Embattled Ukraine, Four Years Later

Securing Ukraine’s Future: Adapting to New Realities

As the war in Ukraine enters its fifth year since Russia’s invasion, six CFR experts offer concrete recommendations as part of the Council Special Initiative on Securing Ukraine’s Future.

Right-Sizing the Russian Threat

European concerns about Russian aggression are justified, yet severe constraints on Moscow means that an attack in the near future is unlikely, argues expert Thomas Graham. He writes that Europe needs to balance military deterrence with diplomatic engagement in order to achieve stable coexistence with Russia.

Defending Europe if Russia Steps Out of the Gray Zone

As peace negotiations continue between Russia and Ukraine, Europe should prepare for Russia to step out of hybrid warfare activities and toward more overt attacks. Liana Fix and Benjamin Harris write that Europe should prepare to manage low-level Russian aggression without the help of the United States.

Preparing for the Day After in Europe

A settlement in Ukraine will not end Europe’s security challenges—it will merely change them. Western policymakers should begin preparing now for what could happen after the guns fall silent, writes Paul Stares.

Ukraine’s Defense Industrial Base Could Become an Anchor for Europe’s Security

Ukraine’s wartime innovation has transformed its defense industry into a rapidly scaling hub for drones, autonomous weapons, and battlefield technology, writes Heidi Crebo-Rediker. Integrating Ukrainian firms into European and NATO procurement should be viewed not as an act of charity but as a strategic investment in collective security.

The Case for a New Humanitarian Aid Model in Ukraine

As the war in Ukraine continues, the country’s humanitarian needs are mounting—while funding is vanishing. Sam Vigersky explains that the collapse of key aid programs has exposed a critical gap in the international response that the United Nations cannot fill alone.

How Much Aid Has the United States Sent to Ukraine?

Explore eleven charts that illustrate the extraordinary level of support that the United States has provided to Ukraine during the war. However, U.S. commitment to Ukraine has been called into question under the second Trump administration, and there has been no new aid legislation since 2024.

Ukraine and the New Way of War

In the four years since Russia’s unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the war has repeatedly confounded expectations. Rebecca Lissner and John Kawika Warden unpack the lessons for future conflicts.

Reversing Population Loss After Four Years of War

From Think Global Health, Kyiv-based journalist Nataliia Bushkovska explains Ukraine’s ongoing demographic crisis: millions have fled the country for safety, and the death rate in 2025 outpaced the birth rate by nearly three to one. Learn how Ukrainian officials and policymakers are devising plans to encourage refugees to return and stimulate the birth rate.