Event Recap

New Atlanticist

Mar 25, 2022

Zelenskyy’s chief of staff: Ukraine needs ‘more bravery’ from NATO

By Dan Peleschuk

In this exclusive Atlantic Council event, Andriy Yermak called for more weapons, wider sanctions against Russia, and a tougher global stance against Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Conflict Crisis Management

Ukraine is marking one month of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Under a bloody and illegal assault, all of Ukraine has shown its strength and resilience. Many in the United States and the West did not believe Ukraine would be able to push back against Russian forces this long, nor did they expect Ukraine to keep control of Kyiv for four weeks and to retake control of some of the surrounding suburbs. The message to Russian President Vladimir Putin and the world is clear: Ukrainians will not give up their identity, freedom, and independence without a fight. However, Ukraine needs more support from the West—military aid and sanctions on Russia—and the NATO summit did not send as clear a signal of such support as Ukraine would like. There are voices in the West suggesting that Ukraine accept a deal that would give the Kremlin a diplomatic victory not justified by the situation on the battlefield and the sanctions front.

Andriy Yermak, head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, joins Ambassador John Herbst, senior director of the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center, for a conversation about NATO, sanctions, and the current diplomatic efforts to end the war. With nearly 1,000 Ukrainian civilians dead, over 15,000 injured, and millions displaced, what can the United States and its allies do next to support Ukraine’s fight for freedom and independence?

An #ACFrontPage event

Atlantic Council Front Page is our premier live ideas platform for global leaders to discuss the defining challenges of our time. #ACFrontPage is a virtual event series featuring top newsmakers across multiple digital platforms. Harnessing the convening power and expertise of the Council’s fifteen Programs and Centers, #ACFrontPage leverages the Council’s capabilities in social media, press, and digital outreach to spotlight the world’s most prominent leaders and the most compelling ideas across sectors and engage new audiences eager for nonpartisan and constructive solutions to current global challenges. This widely promoted program features the Council’s most important guests and content serving as the highlight of our programming each week.

Featuring

Andriy Yermak

Head
Office of the President of Ukraine

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The Eurasia Center’s mission is to enhance transatlantic cooperation in promoting stability, democratic values and prosperity in Eurasia, from Eastern Europe and Turkey in the West to the Caucasus, Russia and Central Asia in the East.