It is January 2025, and Ukraine is facing a military threat to its survival from Russia. Almost three years have passed since Russia had marched on Kyiv and more than 10 years since Russia occupied Crimea. While a stalemate has fallen on the battlefield, the political landscape is shifting. For years, the Russian government has been demanding that Ukraine give up claims to the Russian-occupied regions, and recognise them as part of Russia, as well as halting any attempt to join NATO – demands which have long been rejected by Ukrainians. Yet, the war has taken a heavy toll on Ukraine and a new US administration has entered office with a dramatic shift in policy towards Ukraine, potentially forcing Ukraine to reconsider its position. With it seeming increasingly likely that Ukraine will soon be handed terms of a ceasefire agreed between Russia and US, how could the country ensure that it responded in such a way that would best protect its security in short- and long-term?
In this case study, participants consider how to prepare President Zelenskyy for a potential ceasefire deal over a 90-minute discussion-based class.
- Understand ‘the anarchy problem’ in international relations and analyse the forms of political order at the global level that have emerged in response to anarchy;
- Recognise the ‘security dilemma’ that states face as a result of the anarchy problem and consider the various responses they have developed to avoid armed conflict and further global security;
- Apply theories around international relations and security to a specific context and weigh up strategies to further national security aims within that context.