As Vladimir Putin’s war of aggression against Ukraine enters its 14th month, and with Russian forces failing in their efforts to take more territory in the Donbas, Ukrainian forces are gearing up for a spring offensive.
Ukrainian war planners are hoping that Russia’s recent heavy losses in Bakhmut and in Vuhledar will pave the way for Ukraine to liberate more of its territory in the East and South. But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has also made it clear that a spring offensive will not be possible without more weapons and artillery from the West.
We are on the eve of a potentially decisive phase of this war. So what happens next? Where does the war go from here? And what does the West need to do to help Ukraine win? On The Power Vertical Podcast this week, host Brian Whitmore speaks with Lt. Col. (Ret) Alexander Vindman, a 21-year veteran of the U.S. Army who served as Director for European Affairs for the U.S National Security Council from 2018-20. Enjoy…
SHOW NOTES
The audio clips opening the podcast and the second half came from a speech by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on March 30.
The translations are as follows:
“Ukraine will win at the front. Ukraine will win in recovery. Ukraine will win in restoring justice. We will not leave a single trace of Russia on our land. And we will not leave any enemy unpunished either.”
“We are preparing our next steps, our active actions. We are preparing the approach of our victory. What is the strength of Ukraine? If your intentions are good, the whole world will be on your side and help you.”
Alexander Vindman’s interview with Politico, which was referenced in the podcast, can be accessed here.