Ukraine-Russia Crisis

A member of the Ukrainian army helps civilians evacuate from Irpin.

Russia's Invasion of Ukraine

Expert analysis and commentary on the conflict by Stanford scholars.

The International Working Group on Russian Sanctions

We have convened a working group of independent, international experts to recommend new economic and other measures to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin to end his invasion of Ukraine as soon as possible and restore Ukraine’s territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. This group aims to provide expertise and experience to governments and companies around the world by assisting with the formulation of sanctions proposals that will increase the cost to Russia of invading Ukraine, and support democratic Ukraine in the defense of its territorial integrity and national sovereignty.

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From President Marc Tessier-Lavigne

In remarks to the Faculty Senate, Stanford's president expressed his concern about Russia's invasion of Ukraine and extended the university's support for members of our community affected by the crisis.

Read his remarks

Latest from the Director

Catch up on the latest Congressional testimony, commentary and analysis from FSI Director Michael McFaul.

Stephen Colbert Interview Congressional Testimony Washington Post Op-Eds

Analysis and Commentary

Paul Wise and Ukrainian families with child cancer patients

Helping Child Cancer Patients Flee Ukraine

Stanford Health Policy's Paul Wise has been in Poland helping coordinate medical evacuations to Europe, the U.S and Canada , and praises the heroism of Ukrainian doctors.

Philip Taubman on the border between Asia and Europe, in the Ural Mountains.

A Brief but Glorious Season

As the Kremlin continues to clamp down on the free press in Russian, Felicity Barringer and CISAC's Philip Taubman and reflect on their time as a New York Times reporters in Moscow during the Gorbachev era.

The Chernobyl nuclear reactor complex in Pripyat, Ukraine.

‘A Monkey with a Grenade’: Russia's Attacks on Nuclear Reactors Cross a Dangerous Line

Firing on civilian nuclear facilities is an unacceptable disregard for the rules of war that endangers the entire world, not just Ukraine, argues UELP alumnus Artem Romaniukov.

Big Tech Faces a Moral Reckoning in Ukraine

Marietje Schaake says the tech industry can no longer turn a blind eye to their role in enabling and amplifying aggressive, destructive behavior like that being perpetrated by Putin and his helpers.

A statue of the Archangel Micheal at the Maidan Nezalezhnosti in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Preparing for Defeat

Based on the situation on the ground, Francis Fukuyama thinks the world needs to start preparing for the defeat of . . . Russia. He explains his reasoning in American Purpose.

Surviellence cameras installed on a wall.

The Weapons the West Used Against Putin

An unprecedented amount of highly classified intelligence has been released to the public as part of the West's strategy to get ahead of Russia, and its having profound consequences, says security expert Amy Zegart.

Nuclear Reactors in a War Zone: A New Type of Weapon?

Putin is weaponizing nuclear power plants in his assault on Ukraine. Rodney Ewing explains the vulnerabilities inherent in making reckless attacks against civilian nuclear infrastructure.

moscow and kyiv on the map picture id491995329

Why Putin Sees Ukraine as an Existential Threat

Ukraine's resilient, robust democracy threatens Putin’s personal and autocratic regime, and it will take maximum pressure from the West and by Russians themselves to persuade him to back down, says Kathryn Stoner.

Protesters display placards in front of the Representative Office of the Moscow-Taipei Coordination Commission to protest against Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine on February 25, 2022 in Taipei, Taiwan.

Invasions are Not Contagious

China is certainly watching events unfold in Ukraine, but its calculus for whether to use force against Taiwan is still shaped primarily by domestic factors, not foreign ones, says Oriana Skylar Mastro.

NATO and U.S. Must Defend Against Spillover without Being Drawn into Escalation

In an interview with Stanford News, former Deputy Secretary of NATO Rose Gottemoeller discusses the critical balance the West and its allies must strike in its positioning against Russia on Ukraine.

Image of social media icons and a hand holding a phone

Full-Spectrum Pro-Kremlin Online Propaganda about Ukraine

The Stanford Internet Observatory tracks the connections between overt Russian state media propaganda themes and unattributed pro-Kremlin Telegram channel narratives.

Vladamir Putin at a Victory Day military parade in the Red Square, Moscow

What Putin Fears Most

Putin may dislike NATO expansion, but he is not genuinely frightened by it. But he cannot tolerate a successful, flourishing, and democratic Ukraine, writes Michael McFaul in the Journal of Democracy.

Does the Kremlin Understand Ukraine? Apparently Not

The abject failure of Russian policy toward Ukraine over the past seven years suggests Vladimir Putin has a flawed understanding of the country, says Steven Pifer.

Vladimir Putin addresses supporters during a rally in central Moscow on March 4, 2012.

His History and Ours

As Russia sends troops into eastern Ukraine and threatens invasion of the rest, Kathryn Stoner sets the record straight about who is the predator and who is the victim in the distorted historical narratives being used to justify war.

Members of the Ukrainian military carry the flag of Ukraine during the 30th anniversary of the country's independence.

What the Ukraine-Russia Crisis Says about the Global Struggle for Democracy

Former prime minister of Ukraine Oleksiy Honcharuk explains how Russia's aggression towards Ukraine fits into Vladimir Putin's bigger strategy to undermine democracy globally.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Visits Stanford

On September 2, 2021, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his delegation were hosted by FSI for a historic visit to Stanford's campus.

Recording of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Visit to Stanford

'Everything is Possible in Ukraine'

At an outdoor event held in Encina Courtyard, Zelenskyy shared his vision of a free, democratic future for Ukraine built on technological innovations and investments in infrastructure to make services more accessible and create better opportunities for all Ukrainians.

Learn more about Zelenskyy's visit.

In Pictures

A History of Unity: FSI's Special Relationship with Ukraine

Since 2005, the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies has cultivated rich academic ties and friendships with Ukrainian scholars and civic leaders as part of our mission to support democracy and development domestically and abroad.

Learn More

Videos

What's Next for Ukraine and Russia?

Russia's Invasion of Ukraine: What it Means and Why You Should Care

Testimony from Michael McFaul: Defending U.S. Allies and Interests Against Russian Aggression in Eastern Europe

Books

From Cold War to Hot Peace — Michael McFaul, (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2018).

Russia Resurrected: Its Power and Purpose in a New Global Order — Kathryn Stoner, (Oxford University Press, 2021).

Negotiating the New START Treaty — Rose Gottemoeller, (Cambria Press, 2021).

Scholars in the Media

How to Stop a New Nuclear Arms Race — Rose Gottemoeller, Foreign Affairs, 3/09/22.

The Russian Invasion and a New Global Order — Kathryn Stoner, Centre for Independent Studies, 3/09/22.

Ukraine Fights Back — Michael McFaul, Our America wih Julian Castro, 3/09/22.

Ukraine Accuses Putin of 'Nuclear Terror' Over Power Plant Shelling — Steven Pifer, KQED: Forum, 3/07/22.

State Media, Social Media, and the Conflict in Ukraine — Renée DiResta, Michael McFaul, Mrietje Schaake, Alex Stamos, Tech Policy Press, 3/06/22.

Ukraine Under Siege: What's Next — Rose Gottemoeller, The Commonwealth Club of California, 3/04/22.

“He Sounds Increasingly Unhinged” - A Former Diplomat on Putin, and the Threat of Nuclear War — Michael McFaul, Katie Couric Media, 3/02/22.

Julia Ioffe and Michael McFaul: Hell & High Water with John Heilemann — Michael McFaul, The Recount, 3/1/22.

Will Russia's Invasion of Ukraine Actually Lead to World War III? — Kathryn Stoner, NBC Universal, 2/24/22.

The Ukraine-Russia Crisis: "Putin Will not be Satisfied with Kiev. His is a Threat to Democracies." — Francis Fukuyama, la Repubblica, 2/21/22.

Alex Stamos on Ukraine and Cyber Warfare — Alex Stamos, In Lieu of Fun, 2/16/22.

The Russia-Ukraine Crisis: A Panel of Experts Discuss — Rose Gottemoeller, CBS: Intelligence Matters, 2/16/22.

Ambassador Michael McFaul on Ukraine/Russia Relations — Michael McFaul, Black Diplomats, 2/04/22.

What Does Putin Really Want? — Michael McFaul, Foreign Policy, 1/19/22.

The Putin Puzzle: Why Ukraine? Why Now? — Kathryn Stoner, Wall Street Journal, 1/14/22.

More Media on YouTube

For additional interviews, analysis and commentary from our scholars on the invasion of Ukraine, check out our YouTube playlist.

Watch the Playlist

Media Contact: Ari Chasnoff, Associate Director for Communications

Upcoming Event

Join the Freeman Spogli Institute on May 27 at 9:00am PT to hear a special live video address from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine

On May 27, President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy will speak to the Stanford community via live video address about Ukraine’s fight against Russia in its war for independence, freedom and global democracy, which calls for the continued support of all the people of the free world.

Watch the Livestream

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