Top US Foreign Relations Senator on Trump's New Playbook with Ukraine, EU
Feb 27, 2025
auto_awesome
Jeanne Shaheen, a New Hampshire Senator and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, shares insights from her recent visit to Ukraine, recounting the resilience of its citizens amidst conflict. She discusses America’s reliability as an ally, the significance of foreign aid, and the implications of mineral rights deals with Ukraine. Shaheen also addresses challenges posed by authoritarian regimes and the necessity of supporting Ukraine in the face of ongoing war, alongside reflections on U.S. foreign policy during the Trump administration.
Senator Shaheen warns that President Trump's rhetoric undermines the U.S. image as a reliable ally, emboldening adversaries like Putin.
Bipartisan support for Ukraine and NATO is essential to deter Russian aggression and assure Eastern European nations of U.S. commitments.
Deep dives
Impact of U.S. Rhetoric on Ukraine
President Trump's harsh rhetoric regarding Ukraine and its leaders has significant implications for U.S. foreign relations and the ongoing conflict. Senator Shaheen emphasizes that President Zelenskyy, who was democratically elected, is being wrongly labeled as a dictator. Such statements from the U.S. leadership undermine the global perception of the United States as a reliable ally and might embolden adversaries, including Putin. Additionally, continued disinformation about the war can demoralize the Ukrainian efforts and disrupt U.S. support among European allies who feel uncertain about American commitments.
Bipartisan Support for Ukraine and NATO
Senator Shaheen highlights the importance of bipartisan support for Ukraine and NATO to deter further Russian aggression. The senator notes that if Russia succeeds in Ukraine, it could lead to more invasions in Eastern Europe, directly affecting NATO member countries. It is crucial for the U.S. to showcase its commitment to NATO to assure allies of protection, especially regarding Article 5. The ongoing support for Ukraine serves as a strong message not only to Russia but also to other global powers like China, reinforcing that the U.S. stands firm with its allies.
Consequences of Reducing Foreign Aid
The reduction of U.S. foreign aid, particularly through USAID, poses long-term risks to international relations and American influence abroad. Senator Shaheen cites instances where foreign communities have expressed distrust in the U.S. due to diminished support, which allows adversaries like China to fill the gap. This disinvestment in soft power could lead to instability and increased conflicts that would ultimately require military intervention from the U.S. Expanding assistance programs is imperative to foster goodwill and ensure that American interests are protected globally.
In this episode of One Decision, host Christina Ruffini sits down with United States Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a New Hampshire Democrat and ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee. Shaheen recently visited Kyiv, Ukraine, and shared her experience speaking with Ukrainian citizens in the small town of Bucha. She also reacted to the prospective mineral rights deal that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has agreed to with the United States, whether she thinks America is perceived as a reliable ally, the importance of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in mitigating adversary efforts by China, Iran, and Russia, and working with new cabinet secretaries under the Trump administration. The episode also features a preview discussion between French journalist Margot Haddad and former European Commissioner Thierry Breton in English. The full-length French conversation will be published next week and will explore the European Union’s relationship with President Donald Trump, the EU’s efforts in AI investments, tech titan Elon Musk, and much more.
Episode produced by Situation Room Studios. Original music composed and produced by Leo Sidran.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode