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Commentary
One Year After Russia's Invasion of Ukraine: Experts React
We asked nearly 30 RAND experts to highlight takeaways from the first year of Russia's all-out war—and share what they're watching as the conflict in Ukraine grinds on. Here's what they said.
Feb 20, 2023
Commentary
Support to Ukraine Continues to Be for America First
Why should the United States spend tens of billions of dollars on a war half a world away? Because it's in America's economic and strategic interests.
Feb 15, 2023

Explore Ukraine

Commentary
For Ukraine, the Battle to Bolster a Crashing Economy Is as Dire as Combat in the East
Ukraine's struggle to keep afloat economically has been daunting, as its parliament has fallen into disarray and failed to enact major economic reforms. Ukrainian lawmakers could help by dealing better with the national budget but their recent deliberations inspired little public confidence.
Mar 9, 2015
Commentary
The Next European Flashpoints
The West's most pressing task is to help Ukraine defend itself and survive economic catastrophe. But the West also needs a broader strategy to discourage future Russian coercion of neighbors, help them protect themselves, and counter President Vladimir Putin's false narrative about Western intentions and lack of political will.
Feb 17, 2015
Q&A
RAND Experts Discuss the Options for Ukraine
A cease-fire agreement could stop the fighting in Ukraine by Sunday. RAND experts William Courtney and Olga Oliker discuss what was accomplished during the summit in Minsk, whether the U.S. should arm Ukraine, and what other options exist for supporting Ukraine.
Feb 12, 2015
Blog
State of the Union 2015: Clarion Calls on Terrorism, Cyber, Education, and More
The agenda President Barack Obama outlined in his State of the Union address can perhaps best be characterized as broad, mirroring the range of diverse and emerging issues facing the U.S. in 2015.
Jan 21, 2015
Commentary
Yes, Russia's Military Is Getting More Aggressive
As Russia's relations with the U.S. and Europe have deteriorated following Moscow's aggression in Ukraine, fly-bys of European neighbors by Russian aircraft have taken on new urgency. How should the West think about these provocative flights in light of understanding Russia's nuclear threat?
Dec 31, 2014
Commentary
Rapprochement with Russia?
The ruble's fragility presents an opportunity for American and European diplomats to offer Putin a deal that de-escalates the war in Ukraine, provides Russia sanctions relief, and revitalizes Moscow's economic ties with the West.
Dec 30, 2014
Commentary
How Russia Can Recover from Its Economic and Strategic Decline
Few expect that Moscow will cede Crimea or end its opposition to NATO expansion anytime soon. But Russia can still begin to reverse its strategic decline. Expanding opportunities for Russia's people, reforming the economy, and improving relations with neighbors are the way forward.
Dec 24, 2014
Commentary
The Greatest Challenge to U.S.-European Security Cooperation Today: The Ukraine Crisis
Germany and America are leading Western policy in addressing the Russia-Ukraine crisis. The basic strategy is to support Ukraine and pressure Moscow to halt aggression, while leaving the door open to diplomacy. Sustaining Western unity is essential, but may not be easy to achieve.
Dec 8, 2014
Commentary
Hitting the Pause Button: The 'Frozen Conflict' Dilemma in Ukraine
“Frozen conflicts” describe places where fighting took place and has come to an end, yet no overall political solution, such as a peace treaty, has been reached. Ukraine is likely to host such conflicts for some time. Georgia's experience offers lessons for Ukraine.
Nov 7, 2014
Commentary
One Day in the Life of Russia
Russia faces major challenges, some self-inflicted. Freedoms vital to the creation of a modern civil society are declining. Dominant, state-controlled energy and aerospace companies are losing ground, weakening a strained economy.
Sep 23, 2014
Commentary
Crimean Adventure Will Cost Russia Dearly
Moscow may have overreached, as it appears ill-prepared to come up with the necessary funds to cover Crimea-related costs. Infrastructure improvements, development aid, government operations, and other costs will be a multi-billion drain — as much as $4.5 billion per year — on Russia's already strained budget.
Sep 8, 2014
Commentary
The Damage Already Done in Ukraine
The conflict in Ukraine calls for capable diplomacy, open channels of communication, and clear strategies. At least the latter two appear to be absent, but they can be developed in time. Ending the conflict, however, calls for clear mutual intent to solve problems, build trust, and move forward.
Sep 8, 2014
Commentary
A Dispatch from the Ukrainian Front
If Putin sought advice about what NATO is thinking, his Russian Western Front Military commander might say that given its current political indecisiveness and lack of military readiness, NATO lacks the capability to launch a credible intervention, but they should watch for changes in the alliance posture.
Sep 5, 2014
Commentary
A Diplomatic Solution for Ukraine
Despite uncertainty about Russian military plans and the outcome of Ukrainian operations against pro-Russian separatists, it's not too soon to consider how to lay the foundations for a negotiated solution. If Moscow were unwilling to reach a fair settlement, the West would have options to increase its leverage.
Aug 27, 2014
Commentary
Make Russia an Offer on Ukraine It Can't Refuse
An international initiative that does not appear to emanate from NATO or the EU could help bring Russia to the table, in part by accepting that Moscow, too, has a role. An international peacekeeping force could open the way for a negotiated end to the conflict.
Aug 20, 2014
Commentary
NATO's Crucial Summit
President Obama can take action now to ensure the September NATO summit in Wales underscores transatlantic resolve and capability in the face of Russian aggression and provide the strong, decisive U.S. leadership NATO needs in this time of crisis.
Aug 15, 2014
Commentary
Step It Up, Europe
Despite the latest sanctions on Russia, the European Union will need to do more to achieve its objectives in Ukraine. In addition to much tougher economic sanctions, NATO could help Ukrainians by providing military assistance, weapons, training, and intelligence, and deploying air and naval forces closer to the conflict.
Aug 6, 2014
Commentary
A Missile's Deadly Message
Putin's stubbornness on Ukraine has attracted international scorn, threatened Russia's already shaky economy, and focused NATO on countering potential Russian aggression. It's also sparked anti-Russian and pro-NATO sentiments in Central and Eastern Europe. The tragic loss of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 only intensifies these sentiments.
Jul 25, 2014
Commentary
3 Weapons That Threaten Commercial Planes
It's relatively rare that commercial aircraft are targeted with weapons built primarily to attack military aircraft, but there are a range of potential threats from such weapons. Given that Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was reportedly at 33,000 feet when contact was lost, it seems impossible that the attack could have occurred using a shoulder-fired missile.
Jul 18, 2014
Blog
Like Flight 370, the MH17 Crash in Ukraine Could Remain a Mystery
Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 was reportedly shot down yesterday near the Russia-Ukraine border. But like Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, which vanished in March, what happened to MH17 is shrouded in mystery.
Jul 18, 2014

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Research conducted by

Researcher Spotlight

Andrew Radin

Political Scientist

Andrew Radin is a political scientist at the RAND Corporation. His research interests include European security, NATO, and Russia’s foreign and security policy; state building and security sector reform; and peace operations. He is the author of Institution Building in Weak States: The Primacy…
John Tefft

Adjunct Senior Fellow

John F. Tefft is an adjunct senior fellow at the RAND Corporation and retired United States diplomat. He was a career Foreign Service officer for more than 45 years, completing his service as the U.S. ambassador to the Russian Federation from 2014 to 2017. He earlier served as the U.S.…

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