Cease Fire in Ukraine: Long-Awaited Peace or a Prelude to a New War?

Описание: As battlefield lines and political winds shift, calls for a cease-fire in Ukraine are growing. But would a pause bring real peace—or simply give the Kremlin time to regroup? Ambassador John E. Herbst gives a hard-nosed look at what a cease-fire could mean for Ukrainian security, Europe’s stability, and U.S. interests: terms on the table, verification challenges, sanctions leverage, “frozen conflict” or risk of an expanded war.

Ambassador John E. Herbst, senior director at the Atlantic Council Eurasia Center, former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine and Uzbekistan, veteran diplomat in conflict stabilization, and leading commentator on Ukraine, Russia, and regional security. He is a senior director of the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center and a 31-year veteran of the U.S. Foreign Service, retiring as career minister.

He served as U.S. ambassador to Ukraine (2003-06), strengthening U.S.–Ukrainian ties, supporting fair elections, and helping prevent violence during the Orange Revolution. Earlier, as ambassador to Uzbekistan (2000-03), he helped secure a U.S. base for Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and pressed for human-rights reforms.

As State Department Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization, Herbst led U.S. civilian crisis-response efforts and launched the Civilian Response Corps to aid conflict-torn states.

His earlier posts include Consul General in Jerusalem, senior roles for the Newly Independent States and Near East Bureau, and assignments in Moscow, Tel Aviv, and Saudi Arabia.

He later headed the Center for Complex Operations at the National Defense University. A recipient of the Presidential Distinguished Service Award and other top honors, he writes for outlets such as the New York Times, Washington Post, and Foreign Policy, and is a frequent commentator on Ukraine and Russia.

A Georgetown SFS graduate (Phi Beta Kappa), he earned a master’s in law and diplomacy with distinction from Fletcher School, Tufts, and also studied at Johns Hopkins SAIS Bologna Center.