The agony of peace: Russia's Occupation of Eastern Ukraine

The war in Ukraine is likely to end with Russia in occupation of all, or parts of, Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson. While these regions should continue to be recognized as de jure part of Ukraine, they will not be fully under Kyiv's control. What should be done about this situation? It is tempting to conclude that Ukraine and its backers should devote themselves to overturning the hated occupation so that none of Ukraine is left under Russian rule. But there is no realistic formula for peace between Russia and Ukraine that does not include substantial territorial concessions in Russia's favour. In this policy brief, I argue that Ukraine and its friends abroad should prepare a common approach toward the occupied territories that will permit the end of armed hostilities (“bare peace”) while also laying down markers for the eventual triumph of international law and human rights (a “just peace”).