How might the next US President affect the war in Ukraine?

Oct 22, 2024

Guest

Matthew Saville

Guest

Mariia Zolkina, an expert on Ukraine's geopolitical landscape, joins Democratic strategist Mary Anne Marsh, Republican foreign policy analyst Matthew Kroenig, and military specialist Matthew Saville to discuss the impact of the next U.S. President on the war in Ukraine. They explore President Zelensky’s ‘Victory Plan’ and its dependence on U.S. support, contrasting the candidates' approaches to aid. The conversation highlights concerns over declining U.S. assistance, Europe’s commitment, and how future U.S. leadership might shape the conflict's resolution.

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Intro

00:00 • 1min

Ukraine's Struggle: War, Negotiations, and Global Implications

01:30 • 3min

Ukraine's Strategic Proposals for Diplomatic Resolution

04:57 • 2min

Future U.S. Leadership and Its Impact on Ukraine

06:44 • 2min

U.S. Aid Dynamics and Political Challenges in Supporting Ukraine

08:39 • 2min

Navigating U.S. Support for Ukraine

10:18 • 13min

Ukraine’s President Zelensky recently presented his ‘Victory Plan’ to end the war in Ukraine to both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, the two candidates competing to be the next President of the United States of America. President Zelensky’s view is that if his plan is supported by Ukraine’s allies, then the war could be ended by next year.

But both US Presidential candidates, whilst in agreement that the war has to stop, have expressed a very different approach to how they would work towards that. And there are concerns from Ukraine that there will be a significant decrease in getting support in the future, regardless of who will be sitting in the White House. The United States is the top donor to Ukraine in terms of military, financial and humanitarian aid, but if their support did wane, it would mean Ukraine would have to become much more reliant on European backing. Whilst Europe has pledged much in terms of military support, it has yet to deliver everything it has promised. And there is the issue of Europe’s political will and financial backing to fulfil its pledge. In light of this President Zelensky is hoping Europe too will be convinced by his ‘Victory Plan’ and perhaps act as an insurance plan to keep the US focus on this war.

So, on this week’s Inquiry, we’re asking ‘How might the next US President affect the war in Ukraine?’

Contributors: Mariia Zolkina, Head of Regional Security and Conflict Studies, Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation, Kyiv, Ukraine Mary Anne Marsh, Democratic Strategist and Political Analyst, Boston, USA Matthew Kroenig, Vice President and Senior Director, Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, Washington DC, USA Matthew Savill, Director of Military Sciences, Royal United Services Institute, London, UK

Presenter: Charmaine Cozier Producer: Jill Collins Researcher: Matt Toulson Editor: Tara McDermott Technical Producer: Ben Houghton Broadcast Co-ordinator: Jacqui Johnson

(Image: BBC file photo)