Russia’s war in Ukraine, now in its third year, has brought about significant changes that have shifted the war’s main front from the battlefield to the political arena. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s bold gamble stands as a bid for a victorious outcome, as Western divisions and hesitations have left him hopeful of a win. Fearing the resulting unfavorable conditions for Europe’s security upon the United States’ disengagement and Ukraine’s collapse, European governments have escalated their help in aiding Ukraine in recent months. Combined, European governments have now promised and provided more weapons to Kyiv than Washington and more than double this support upon factoring in economic aid. This marks a notable change from the war’s early phases. Nonetheless, the situation has not improved consistently for Ukraine. The war’s end is still uncertain, with Russia’s requirement for Ukraine’s surrender in negotiations clashing with the Ukrainians’ resistance. The warring parties are locked in a stalemate with no settlement in sight. To record these shifts and explore the possibilities regarding the war’s future, Foreign Policy engaged with eight esteemed experts.
