This Monday marks three years since Russian troops invaded Ukraine, marking the start of Europe’s largest land war since World War II. Although there had been early signs of Moscow’s military plans, the invasion stunned even the sharpest of Russia-Ukraine observers.
“There’s a brutal war only 400 miles from here,” FP deputy editor Stefan Theil, who is based in Germany and curated this week’s anniversary feature, remarked to me on Feb. 24, 2022. “Full-scale blitzkrieg on an entire country without even a hint of provocation. First time in Europe since Hitler.”
Three years on, Russia and Ukraine are still locked in a war of attrition. That may soon change: The Trump administration has recently entered talks with Russia to end the war—without Ukraine’s participation (and to its consternation). The essays and reportage below seek to shed light on what the last three years have meant for Ukraine and the world, as well as what might come next.—Chloe Hadavas
