Russia's February invasion of Ukraine launched the biggest war that Europe has witnessed since the end of World War II. To the surprise of the Kremlin, which appeared to have expected an easy victory, the Ukrainians have fought with skill and tenacity, with the help of arms and other military assistance provided by the West. A large gulf separates the two sides' negotiating positions, and the U.S. intelligence

community believes the war could drag on for some time. Pifer's talk will explore the Kremlin's motives for this war of choice, the course of the conflict and the Kremlin's miscalculations. He will also address Western policy and what the future might hold.