Menu

United States Institute of Peace

Home ▶ Events

Two Years In: Analyzing the War in Ukraine

Date: Tuesday, February 27, 2024 / Time: 10:30am - 12:00pm EST

Center: Russia and Europe Center

Share This
Print the Page

February 24 marks two years since the beginning of Russia’s wider invasion of Ukraine and ten years from Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea. Ukrainians have fought valiantly against the brutal onslaught, but two years on from the full invasion, Kyiv is facing equipment and manpower shortages — along with wavering international support for additional military and financial aid.

On February 27, USIP and the Atlantic Council hosted a discussion with former U.S. ambassadors to Ukraine and Russia analyzing the current battlefield situation, the importance of Western aid and the disastrous consequences that would result without it, and what can be done to secure Ukraine and its democracy long term.

Continue the conversation on social media using the hashtag #UkraineUSIP.

Speakers

Lise Grande, opening remarks 
President and CEO, U.S. Institute of Peace

Denys Sienik, opening remarks
Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Ukraine

Ambassador John Herbst
Senior Director, Eurasia Center, Atlantic Council; Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine

Ambassador Steve Pifer
Senior Fellow, Brooking Institute; Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine

Ambassador John Tefft 
Distinguished Chair, Diplomacy and Security, RAND Corporation; Former U.S. Ambassador to Russia

Ambassador Marie “Masha” Yovanovitch
Senior Advisor, Russia and Europe Center, U.S. Institute of Peace; Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine

Ambassador William Taylor, moderator
Vice President, Russia and Europe Center, U.S. Institute of Peace; Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine 

Related Publications

China and Ukraine: Pulling Its Weight with Russia or Potemkin Peacemaker?

China and Ukraine: Pulling Its Weight with Russia or Potemkin Peacemaker?

Friday, November 22, 2024

By: Andrew Scobell, Ph.D.;  Dan Spinelli

On Thursday, China’s ambassador, Ma Shengkun, presented his credentials at Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry. Ma, a career diplomat with a background in arms control, replaces Fan Xianrong who had held the post for the past four and a half years. While a diplomatic reshuffle was due, the timing of the turnover and the selection of Ma, in tandem with other recent developments, suggest that China discerns a gradual gathering of momentum for a peace process or truce talks in coming months. In short, Beijing may be seeking to posture itself in anticipation of a new initiative to end — or at least pause — the war in Ukraine.

Type: Analysis

Global Policy

China’s Dilemmas Deepen as North Korea Enters Ukraine War

China’s Dilemmas Deepen as North Korea Enters Ukraine War

Thursday, November 14, 2024

By: Carla Freeman, Ph.D.;  Naiyu Kuo

Until late October, the big questions about China’s role in the Ukraine conflict centered around whether Beijing would choose to expand its support for Russia to include lethal aid, or if it might engage in more active peacemaking to end the conflict. Then, on November 4, the Pentagon confirmed that North Korea sent more than 10,000 troops to Russia’s Kursk oblast, where Ukraine had captured some territory earlier this year. Days later, the State Department confirmed that North Korean soldiers had begun fighting Ukrainian troops.

Type: Analysis

Conflict Analysis & Prevention;  Global Policy

Australia’s Strategic Thinking on the War in Ukraine, NATO, and Indo-Pacific Security

Australia’s Strategic Thinking on the War in Ukraine, NATO, and Indo-Pacific Security

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

By: Gorana Grgić

Russia’s war against Ukraine has spurred closer cooperation between Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific states and organizations, particularly Australia and NATO, signaling a deepening of ties that could have long-term benefits for global security. Over the long term, writes security expert Gorana Grgić, such alignment is crucial for signaling to potential aggressors that global coalitions are prepared to respond. This report analyzes Australia’s response in order to examine Canberra’s strategic thinking with respect to cross-theater cooperation, and it offers recommendations for US, NATO, and Australian policymakers.

Type: Special Report

Conflict Analysis & Prevention;  Global Policy

How Ukraine is Navigating Russia’s Weaponization of Religion

How Ukraine is Navigating Russia’s Weaponization of Religion

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

By: Catherine Wanner

Since 2014, Ukraine has been trying to repel escalating Russian aggression. But while Russia is a much larger country, with far more weaponry and manpower, their efforts to undermine Ukrainian state sovereignty extend far beyond armed combat. The Kremlin has used its close ties to the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) to weaponize religion in favor of Russian interests.

Type: Analysis

Conflict Analysis & Prevention;  Religion

View All Publications