The Lawfare Podcast Lawfare Daily: The Fate of Ukraine
Feb 26, 2025
Fiona Hill is a Senior Fellow specializing in foreign policy, particularly concerning Russia and Ukraine, while Constanze Stelzenmüller focuses on transatlantic relations as the Director at the Center on the United States and Europe. Anastasiia Lapatina brings the Ukrainian perspective as an expert fellow. They discuss the historical context of Ukraine's struggles, the shifting U.S.-Ukraine relations, and the resilience of Ukrainians amid ongoing conflict. Their lively conversation highlights urgent geopolitical challenges and the need for a united defense strategy in Europe.
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Yatsenyuk's Reaction
- Fiona Hill recounts attending Vice President Vance's speech with former Ukrainian Prime Minister Andrey Yatsenyuk.
- Yatsenyuk, a seasoned politician, was deeply moved and said he nearly cried after the speech.
European Dismay
- Europeans are shocked by the U.S. shift in policy, viewing it as siding with the extreme right.
- This shift, combined with European complacency towards defense, creates a critical juncture for Ukraine's fate.
Lapatina's Disillusionment
- Anastasiia Lapatina describes being between travel from Kyiv when Trump's policy shift became apparent.
- Her idealized image of the U.S. shattered, leaving her feeling deeply disheartened.