An overview of both European and Russian objectives in Ukraine. Peace in Ukraine seemed possible following Volodymyr Zelensky’s 2019 election. The new president reopened conversations with both the European Union and separatist authorities, bringing an end to the Donbass conflict in sight. Such an achievement promised revitalized talks between Europe and Russia, and so the nearly forgotten conflict returned to global prominence. Ukraine in the Crosshairs of Geopolitical Power Play analyzes why European and Russian objectives in Ukraine place daunting limits of any potential compromise.