Three years after Russian troops surged into Ukraine, escalating a conflict that began in 2014, the nation’s resilience is being tested as global alliances show signs of strain. Initial expectations of a swift Russian victory were shattered by fierce Ukrainian resistance. Government officials remained steadfast in Kyiv, and President Volodymyr zelensky’s defiant rejection of a U.S. evacuation offer, stating, The fight is here. I need ammunition, not a ride, galvanized the country and the world. This marked the beginning of a prolonged and transformative period for Ukraine and the international community, one that continues to reshape geopolitical norms.

For three years, Ukraine has successfully defended its territory against Russian forces, a testament to its unwavering national spirit and the ingenuity of its defense strategies. Anne Applebaum,writing in The Atlantic,observed that Ukrainian civilian society has mobilized extensively,contributing significantly to the war effort. This widespread participation underscores the deep-seated commitment of the Ukrainian people to their nation’s sovereignty.Moreover, the defense industry has undergone a remarkable transformation, now producing advanced hardware and software, positioning Ukraine as a leader in AI-enabled drone technology. This rapid innovation has not only bolstered Ukraine’s defense capabilities but also signaled its potential as a future player in the global arms market. The Ukrainian army has grown into the largest in europe, boasting a force of one million people, a clear indication of the nation’s resolve to defend its borders.

Despite this resilience, Ukraine has endured relentless attacks targeting civilians, hospitals, and its critical energy infrastructure. The human cost of the conflict is staggering, with at least 46,000 soldier deaths and 380,000 wounded. These figures underscore the brutal reality of the war and the immense suffering endured by the Ukrainian people. The purposeful targeting of civilian infrastructure has drawn international condemnation and highlighted the urgent need for humanitarian assistance and protection.

Russia’s economy is facing increasing strain as military production diverts resources from the civilian sector, impacting the daily lives of ordinary Russians. Sanctions have further hampered economic activity, preventing other nations from filling the void and exacerbating the economic challenges. Inflation has soared, eroding purchasing power and fueling discontent. The conflict has resulted in over 700,000 Russian casualties, including deaths and injuries, a significant toll that is likely to have long-term consequences for Russian society. According to estimates from the Institute for the Study of War, at the current pace, it would take russia 83 years to capture the remaining 80% of Ukraine, highlighting the futility of its military objectives.

Applebaum argues that Russia’s path to victory now hinges on undermining international support for Ukraine, a strategy that seeks to exploit divisions and fatigue among Ukraine’s allies. The only way Putin wins now is by persuading Ukraine’s allies to be sick of the war…by persuading Trump to cut off Ukraine…and by convincing Europeans that they can’t win either. This strategy appears to be unfolding, as President Donald Trump has instructed U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, to engage in negotiations with Russian officials to end the war. Ukrainian and European leaders were notably excluded from these talks, which took place last tuesday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, raising concerns about the future of transatlantic cooperation.

In stark contrast, three years ago, President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken played a crucial role in uniting allies against the invasion, providing Ukraine with military equipment, humanitarian aid, financial assistance, and imposing economic sanctions on Russia. Today, while Ukraine hosted European leaders, U.S. officials were absent, signaling a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy and its commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty.

President Trump has recently echoed Russian narratives regarding the conflict, further fueling concerns about a potential realignment of U.S. foreign policy. He has blamed ukraine for the war initiated by Russia’s invasion, criticized Zelensky for not holding elections during wartime—despite Ukrainian laws prohibiting wartime elections—and falsely claimed that the U.S. has provided $350 billion to Ukraine, with half of the funds “missing.” The U.S. has provided approximately $100 billion, less than Europe’s contribution, primarily in the form of weapons from U.S.stockpiles that domestic defense industries are replenishing.There is no evidence to support the claim that any of this support is “missing.”

Peter Baker of The New york Times highlighted the discrepancy between reality and Trump’s statements. Keith Kellogg, Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine, stated, we have a pretty good accounting of where it’s going. Baker’s analysis suggests that in Trump’s alternate reality, lies and distortions will facilitate a peace agreement favorable to Putin. Simultaneously occurring,Putin launched 267 drones into Ukraine on Saturday,marking the largest drone attack of the war,a stark reminder of the ongoing violence and the challenges facing Ukraine.

Recently, the United States delegation to the United Nations voted against a resolution condemning Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and demanding an end to the occupation. This vote contradicts the basic principle of national sovereignty enshrined in the United Nations charter. The U.S. sided with Russia, israel, North Korea, Belarus, and fourteen other nations aligned with Russia, while China and India abstained. The resolution passed overwhelmingly,highlighting the growing isolation of the U.S. on this critical issue.

In a symbolic act of protest, users on Google maps renamed Trump’s Florida club, mar-a-Lago, to “Kremlin Headquarters,” reflecting the widespread disapproval of his perceived alignment with Russia.

The editorial board of London’s Financial Times observed that [i]n the past ten days, [Trump] has all but incinerated 80 years of postwar American leadership. The U.S. has transitioned into an unabashed predator, aligning with russia and other former adversaries. The board contrasted this shift with past instances where the US displayed its character as global leader, moments that defined the world’s idea of America. Trump’s assertion that Ukraine should have never started the war and J.D.Vance’s claim that liberal democracy is the real danger in Europe are the dark version of those moments, echoing straight from Putin’s talking points.

The editorial board concluded that these actions will live in infamy, emphasizing that there should be no doubt that Trump’s contempt for allies and admiration for strongmen is real and will endure. His worldview is instinctively committed to the idea that the world is a jungle in which the big players take what they want…. He divides the world into spheres of interest. Ultimately, America has turned.

Putin’s strategy appears to involve isolating the U.S.from Europe, possibly weakening the continent, a goal further supported by Elon Musk and Vice President J.D. Vance’s expressed support. However, French President Emmanuel macron, a strong advocate for Ukraine, is stepping into the void left by the U.S. Following the shift in U.S. policy at the Munich Security Conference from February 14–16, Macron convened European leaders in Paris to address the changing landscape.

On Monday, February 17, eight European leaders and the heads of NATO and the European Union convened. On Wednesday, Macron engaged with leaders from 19 countries, including Canada, either in person or via videoconference. Leaders from Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the czech Republic, estonia, Finland, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, and Sweden also participated, demonstrating a united front in support of Ukraine.

While the far-right German party gained ground in yesterday’s election, they did not secure a majority. The center-right party emerged victorious and will form a coalition government with the outgoing center-left party. The incoming government is a strong supporter of Ukraine, ensuring continued German support for the country.

Germany’s next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, stated, I would never have thought that I would have to say something like this, adding that it is indeed clear that [Trump’s] government does not care much about the fate of Europe. He emphasized that his absolute priority will be to strengthen Europe as quickly as possible so that, step by step, we can really achieve independence from the USA.

the European Union recently imposed additional sanctions on russia, further tightening the economic pressure on the country. The United Kingdom announced a comprehensive package of sanctions, rivaling those implemented early in the war. These sanctions target companies in various countries that supply components for Russian munitions,including tools,electronics,and microprocessors. They also target russian oligarchs, ships transporting russian oil, and North Korea’s defense minister, No Kwang Chol, who the U.K. holds responsible for deploying North Korean soldiers to assist Russia.

Macron visited Trump at the White House today. The visit began awkwardly when Trump failed to greet Macron upon his arrival. During a press conference, Macron maintained a facade of cordiality with Trump, but as Trump made inaccurate statements, Macron confidently corrected him in front of reporters and directly accused Russia of being the aggressor in the war, a clear display of European resolve.

John Simpson of the BBC observed that there are years when the world goes through some fundamental, convulsive change and that 2025 is shaping up to be one of those years: a time when the basic assumptions about the way our world works are fed into the shredder. This sentiment captures the profound uncertainty and the potential for significant shifts in the global order.