At the heart of the ongoing conflict lies a complex web of strategic interests that pull Moscow, Kyiv, and Washington into a high-stakes geopolitical chess match. Russia seeks to reassert its influence over its near abroad, aiming to prevent Ukraine from aligning more closely with Western institutions such as NATO and the European Union. For Kyiv, the conflict is not just about preserving territorial sovereignty but also about securing the political and economic future of a nation striving to break free from decades of Russian dominance. Washington, meanwhile, balances a desire to support democratic values and regional stability with broader concerns about deterring Russian aggression without escalating into a wider war.

The interplay of these ambitions is reflected in the…