UKRAINE: THE SITUATION 398 - MARCH 26, 2023

The ISW publishes today, on March 26, a shortened update on the campaign. This report discusses Russian President Vladimir Putin's ongoing efforts for a complete victory in Ukraine, which he seems convinced he can achieve over time.

Putin appears to reject the increasingly prevalent notion in Western discourse that the current military realities require or support a negotiated solution to the conflict. Neither Ukraine nor the West has convinced him that he needs to consider any kind of maneuver or compromise. Instead, Putin continues to focus on achieving his original war goals through a protracted conflict, either by imposing his will on Ukraine by force or by breaking Ukraine's will after the West has abandoned Kyiv. Several successful Ukrainian counteroffensives are likely necessary, but not sufficient, to move Putin to negotiations on acceptable terms or to create on-the-ground military conditions that are advantageous enough for Ukraine and the West that continued or renewed Russian attacks pose an acceptable threat to Ukraine or NATO.

The complete Russian Offensive Update 398 is available directly at UNDERSTANDING WAR.

UNDERSTANDING WAR online