Moscow/Kyiv – The conflict in Ukraine has evolved into a three-dimensional chess game, with moves being made simultaneously on the battlefield, in the diplomatic arena, and in the shadows of covert warfare.
On the first board—the battlefield—Russia claims a checkmate is approaching. President Vladimir Putin announced the capture of nearly 5,000 square kilometers in 2025, asserting a “complete strategic initiative.”
On the second board—diplomacy—Putin is attempting to force a stalemate. He has threatened the United States with a “qualitatively new stage of escalation” and the destruction of their relationship if Tomahawk missiles are supplied to Ukraine.
On the third board—covert operations—Ukraine claims to have uncovered Russia’s play. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Moscow of using its oil tanker fleet for espionage and sabotage, a move he is working with allies to counter.
This multi-level conflict is dangerously complex, where a move on one board can have devastating and unpredictable consequences on the others, making a peaceful resolution incredibly challenging to achieve.