Russia’s war in Ukraine has been going on for almost five years now, with no end in sight. Western sanctions have crippled Russia’s war economy, and it is suffering from structural fatigue, but the country is stepping up its attacks on Ukraine. Sanctions imposed by the US Congress under the Lindsey O. Graham Russia Sanctions Act have recently been rolled back by President Donald Trump’s decision to buy Russian diesel and release sanctions. The European Union is increasing its military, economic, and humanitarian support for Ukraine, but will it be enough? What is the real state of the Russian war economy, and what can we expect for the future? Will the US midterm elections change Washington’s position on the war? And with pro-Russian parties on the rise in Europe, will the European Union be stronger?
HOST
Cecilia Malmström
Nonresident Senior Fellow, Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE)
GUEST
Elina Ribakova
Nonresident Senior Fellow, PIIE; Nonresident Fellow, Bruegel; Director, International Program, Kyiv School of Economics
Thomas Wright
Senior Fellow, Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy and Technology, Brookings Institution; Former Senior Director for Strategic Planning, National Security Council