Four Years of War in Europe

Foreign Policy

by Christian Caryl, Angela Stent, Andriy Zagorodnyuk, George Barros, Keir Giles, Carl Bildt, C. Raja Mohan, Agathe Demarais and Stefan Theil

February 20, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Four years into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the conflict has evolved from a regional dispute into a global geopolitical turning point with far-reaching consequences. Initially viewed as containable, the war has reshaped Europe’s security landscape, forcing nations to rearm and prepare for future conflicts. The involvement of Eurasian autocracies, including Iran and North Korea, has deepened Russia’s strategic capabilities on the European battlefield, while Ukraine’s resilience and innovative military tactics have defied expectations. The economic shift away from Russian energy ties has exposed vulnerabilities in Europe’s reliance on hostile powers. Since U.S. President Donald Trump’s tenure, which saw a reduction in American support for Ukraine and an attempted rapprochement with Russia, Europe has been compelled to strengthen its defenses and forge new alliances. This pivot reflects the growing shift toward a post-American world order. Ukraine’s ability to resist Russian forces despite numerical disadvantages has surprised global observers. The country’s use of 3D printing to mass-produce drones and its deployment of homemade weapons highlight an unexpected level of innovation and resourcefulness on the battlefield. Russia’s own reliance on advanced technologies, such as fiber-optic guidance systems, has left a visible mark on the warzone. The conflict has also underscored the limitations of conventional military assessments. Western experts initially predicted a swift Ukrainian defeat, yet the war has dragged on longer than anticipated, challenging established narratives about Russian military prowess. This unpredictability has left both sides grappling with strategic miscalculations and shifted the geopolitical balance in ways that were unimaginable at its outset. For readers interested in politics and international relations, this story matters as it reveals the fragility of global stability and the potential for further realignments among nations. The war’s impact extends beyond Europe, influencing energy markets, technological advancements, and the decline of U.S. influence in global affairs. As

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Originally published on Foreign Policy on 2/20/2026