Four years into the Ukraine war, Moscow sees vindication, not failure
Al Jazeera
February 25, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Four years after Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, Moscow increasingly sees the war as a strategic success rather than a failure. While Western media often portrays the conflict as a misguided attempt to reassert imperial ambitions, Russian leaders view it as a necessary move to prevent NATO expansion and secure their borders. The article highlights how Russian political elites feel a sense of achievement, believing they are shaping the war's outcome on their terms.
The key factor driving Russia's stance is its fear of NATO encroachment near its borders, which it sees as a direct threat. Moscow interprets the conflict not as an imperialist venture but as a defensive measure to protect national sovereignty and isolate from what it perceives as Western hostile policies. This perspective is reinforced by internal politics, where hardline security elites benefit from ongoing tensions with the West.
Additionally, the war has allowed Russia to eliminate pro-Western opposition within Ukraine, solidifying its control over regions like Donbas. The Russian leadership sees their actions in Ukraine as comparable to past conflicts, such as the 2008 Georgia war, where they aimed to establish dominance through military force and coerce Kyiv into unfavorable agreements.
The article underscores why this narrative matters: it reveals shifting dynamics in international relations, with Russia framing its aggression as a justified response to perceived threats. This perspective resonates within Moscow, reinforcing their commitment to the war despite external criticism.
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/25/2026