After Ukraine's initial, inspiring victories over Russian invaders in Kyiv and other critical western and central cities, its intrepid military faces fierce fighting and significant setbacks in eastern Ukraine.
The more open terrain works to Russia's military advantage in weaponry, including more long-range artillery. The gains have advanced and consolidated Russian President Vladimir Putin's revised goals of seizing the eastern Donbas region.
While the West has responded to Russia's February full-scale invasion of Ukraine with unexpected diplomatic, economic and military unity, divisions are becoming more apparent between Western and Eastern European nations.
