It has been clear for some months that Ukraine is unlikely to recover its lost lands through military action. Russia is too strong. Indeed, Ukraine is losing more territory even now. Ukraine did manage to maintain its political autonomy, and it has seemed strong enough on the ground, with Western help, to defend against a complete Russian takeover. With Trump's election, the notion of reversing Russian gains seems utterly implausible. Ukraine may be able to continue to defend most of its remaining territory, with the help of its other allies, but it will get only modest help from the US. It is also likely that Trump will indeed be willing to negotiate with Russia ‘about Ukraine, without Ukraine’," says Barry Posen, Ford International Professor of Political Science and a member of the Center’s Security Studies Program.

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