Will There be a Third Russo-Ukrainian War?

In their recent article for War on the Rocks, Mike Kofman and Jack Watling wrote that "there is a significant risk that following a cessation in large-scale combat operations Russia continues its effort to destabilize Ukraine politically, pressure it economically, and set the conditions for a third war on far more favorable terms for Moscow. To prevent this, the Ukrainian military will need to be sustained in the field and reconstituted, while Russia is effectively deterred."

With ceasefire negotiations underway regarding the war in Ukraine, I wanted to see others' thoughts on the possibility that there might be a third phase of the war (with 2014 and 2022 serving as marking two distinct phases of the conflict thus far — I acknowledge that many characterize it as one ongoing conflict) between Russia and Ukraine if the current phase of fighting ends soon. When all is said and done, it is hard for me to believe that the Kremlin's aims in Ukraine would be met even if the war ended today and Russia formally annexed all of the Ukrainian territory that it currently occupies. I also believe the scenario laid out by the authors seem plausible

My question is essentially, assuming there is an end to the current phase of the conflict, is a third phase of the war inevitable at this point? I think Kofman and Watling lay out a promising proposal for how Europe can best support Ukraine right now and in the future, but I wonder what, if anything, can truly deter Russia from invading Ukraine again or wreaking havoc elsewhere in former Soviet Union in the future, especially with U.S. commitment to European security in question right now.

Posted Mar 12, 2025, 7:57 PM UTC

10
Loading comments…