Episode 56: War in Ukraine: How are the United States and its NATO Allies Responding?

A Conversation with Ambassador Julianne Smith, U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO Russia’s war in Ukraine has entered a new phase, after the Ukrainian forces’ spirited and effective resistance forced Russia to redefine its focus, unleashing this week concentrated attacks in the east and south of Ukraine. Throughout the course of the conflict, the response of NATO and its member states has adapted, including the provision of increasingly sophisticated weaponry to support Ukraine’s efforts to resist and repel Russian aggression. On this episode of The Zeitgeist Podcast, AICGS President Jeff Rathke welcomes Ambassador Julianne Smith, U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO, as they discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine and the NATO alliance’s evolving strategy to respond to the biggest security crisis in Europe in over fifty years. What is the current situation, and how does the United States assess Ukraine’s capacity to prevail? What made rapid NATO responses and fast delivery of military and humanitarian assistance possible? How ambitious is the scope of U.S. and NATO support for Ukraine? What to make of Russia’s veiled threats that it might use nuclear weapons? Host Jeff Rathke, President, AICGS Guest Julianne Smith, U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO