"Chowdhury’s work stands out as a beacon of clarity... a testament to his dedication to making sense of the headlines and providing readers with a comprehensive, thought-provoking perspective on one of the most significant conflicts of our time”―San Francisco Post

Fazle Chowdhury delivers a compelling, deeply researched exploration of the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, offering a comprehensive examination of Russia's prolonged tension with the West, particularly through the lens of President Putin’s unrelenting efforts to reclaim Ukraine—viewed by many Soviet nostalgists as an essential part of their historical legacy. Drawing on extensive research from Ukrainian and Western sources, Chowdhury provides an insightful, balanced analysis of Ukraine's battle for sovereignty. He methodically disentangles the historical narratives of Kremlin justifications over Ukraine, while shining a light on Ukraine’s distinct historical independence and identity. Critics may argue that the book emphasizes Ukraine’s resistance more than Russian influence, but Chowdhury strives to present multiple perspectives, including Russia’s, to portray a nuanced account of key events, accentuating Ukraine’s strategic role in Europe, caught between East and West, and examines the response from Western Europe, the Baltics, NATO, and Turkey. Against the backdrop of a politically fragmented Europe—distracted by migration issues and showing inconsistent defense commitments—Chowdhury illustrates how Russia views itself as being at war with NATO, even as European leaders hesitate to declare it a direct conflict.