In fraught geopolitical times, accountability for Russian aggression remains crucial despite U.S. policy reversals

February 24, 2026, marked the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the largest land war on European soil since World War II. According to the United Nations, nearly 10 million Ukrainians have since become refugees or been displaced, with civilian casualties hovering near 58,930 at the time of writing. Large portions of Ukraine’s infrastructure—including housing, transport, energy, hospitals, and schools—have been destroyed under Russian bombardment, with total reconstruction and recovery needs currently estimated at $588 billion. Between 500,000 to 600,000 Ukrainian soldiers are also estimated to be dead, wounded, or missing, with independent reports placing Russian casualties at 1.2 million and as high as 35,000 per month. Without question, these numbers are tragic and are a somber reminder of the human cost of senseless wars of conquest and imperialist ambitions.

When Russia invaded four years ago, the unprovoked attack sent shockwaves around the world, becoming a watershed moment for Ukraine as a nation, for European continental security, and for world order more generally. The international community condemned the aggression almost in unison, but to no avail. In response, Ukraine and its partners mounted a military defense and have implemented a series of unprecedented measures aimed at holding Russia and its leaders accountable for the war and the myriad atrocities Russian troops have perpetrated to date.

During former U.S. president Joe Biden’s administration, the United States and Europe led a broad international coalition to support Ukraine politically, financially, and militarily. Importantly, they supported Ukraine’s quest to hold Russia legally and financially accountable. They imposed an unprecedented sanctions regime and a series of groundbreaking innovations in the legal and policy spheres aimed at upholding accountability and Ukraine’s rights under international law.

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