Click Here 185. Mic Drop: Evelyn Farkas on Ukraine: ‘Don’t count them out’
Nov 22, 2024
Evelyn Farkas, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russia, Ukraine, and Eurasia, shares her insights from her recent trip to Ukraine. She highlights the unwavering spirit of the Ukrainian people and the urgent manpower challenges they face. Farkas discusses Zelensky's strategic meeting with Trump and the implications for U.S. support. The conversation dives into Ukraine's relentless fight for sovereignty, the evolving dynamics of U.S. military aid, and the complexities of NATO integration amidst ongoing conflict.
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Ukraine's Exhausted Officials Reveal Manpower Crisis
- Evelyn Farkas saw Ukrainian officials and civil society leaders openly admit their exhaustion and severe manpower shortages on her recent trip.
- These shortages affect both the military front and civil administration, with many qualified individuals either at the front or having left the country.
Missile Strikes Become a Daily Reality
- Evelyn Farkas experienced missile and drone attacks firsthand in Kiev, having to go to a bomb shelter for the first time.
- Unlike the previous year, the attack frequency was high enough to force ignoring some alerts due to meeting commitments.
Ukraine Sees Need for Allied Support
- Russia relies on allies like Iran and North Korea, even committing North Korean soldiers to fight on Russian soil.
- Ukraine views this foreign support for Russia as indication that their own allies need to step up their assistance.