When Russian soldiers occupied Borodyanka in February 2022, one of their first acts was to shoot the town’s monument to Ukrainian national bard Taras Shevchenko in the head. This symbolic display of hostility toward Ukrainian identity captured the essence of the war unleashed by Vladimir Putin.
Whether and when Ukraine accedes to the European Union will depend greatly on how and when its war with Russia ends and post-war reconstruction starts, and how the EU handles issues of governance, security, migration, trade, investment, the energy transition, decarbonisation and the EU budget.
Under pressure after recent battlefield losses, Kyiv is bracing for a Russian spring offensive.
POKROVSK, Ukraine—Russia is attacking Ukrainian forces at several points along the 600-mile front line as it seeks to capitalize on its recent capture of the eastern city of Avdiivka, its first major battlefield victory in months.
If Kyiv can hold out through the next winter—a big if—there are trends that run in its favor.
Conventional wisdom is that time is on Russia’s side as Ukraine battles to fend off Moscow’s invasion. Although much remains unclear, it seems certain that if Congress fails to fund more military assistance to Ukraine or if U.S. policy shifts dramatically after Inauguration Day 2025, Kyiv may be forced to sue for peace.
Watch the keynote address from our security and defence conference, delivered by the UK Chief of the Defence Staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin.
The Chief of the Defence Staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, calls for an honest assessment of the threats the UK faces and the fundamentals of Britain’s position in the world, during his speech at Chatham House.