The death toll in the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war is rapidly approaching 1.5 million, and there is no solution in sight... a harrowing reality. To understand this catastrophic conflict as fully as possible, Richard Sakwa meticulously examines the origins, course, and consequences of the war in the broader context of global and domestic political developments since 1945. In his balanced analysis, Sakwa focuses on what he sees as the five levels of the conflict: the dynamics of Ukrainian politics, the evolution of Russian-Ukrainian relations, relations between Russia and the West, general changes in international politics, and the prospects for a viable and sustainable peace. By explaining the logic behind the actions of all sides, without endorsing them, he hopes to contribute to a path toward that peace.
