The ongoing Russian military buildup along the Ukrainian border, military exercises in Belarus, US military support to Ukraine and NATO’s asset deployments to Eastern Europe all point to increased likelihood of war in Europe. Following the annexation of Crimea in 2014, the seemingly impending invasion of further Ukrainian territory by Russia has serious implications for regional security. Russian President Vladimir Putin has attempted to receive iron-clad guarantees from NATO not to admit any new members along what Russia considers its “sphere of influence.” As NATO has rejected this notion and responded with the threat of a heavy cost in case of invasion, the potential for a diplomatic breakthrough has dramatically weakened. What are the possible implications of the Ukraine crisis for regional security and the future of the international system? What are Putin’s main goals? What are some of the deterrence tools at the West’s disposal? What does this crisis mean for the Biden administration’s promise of American global leadership?

The SETA Foundation at Washington DC is pleased to host a panel of experts to discuss the Ukraine crisis.

Charles Kupchan, Senior Fellow at Council on Foreign Relations and Professor of International Relations at Georgetown University

Steven Pifer, Nonresident Senior Fellow in Arms Control and Non-Proliferation Initiative at The Brookings Institution

Kadir Ustun, Executive Director, The SETA Foundation at Washington, DC

Kilic Kanat, Research Director, The SETA Foundation at Washington, DC