Event Recap

New Atlanticist

Sep 27, 2022

What’s Congress’ role in holding Putin accountable? US senators discuss their next moves.

By Katherine Walla

Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Thom Tillis called upon allies to boost their support for Ukraine not only for the country’s sovereignty but also for the region’s stability and for the sake of the international order. 

Conflict NATO

The Atlantic Council’s Transatlantic Security Initiative, in the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, hosted a conversation with Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) on September 26, 2022.

The war in Ukraine has ushered in a sea change in transatlantic security. In response to Russia’s illegal and unprovoked war, the United States and its NATO allies have provided unprecedented military and political support to Ukraine in its fight for freedom, increased the alliance’s deterrence and defense posture especially along its Eastern Flank, and remained steadfast in maintaining an “open door policy” for prospective new members such as Sweden and Finland. Still, as Russia’s war in Ukraine shifts into a new phase and NATO contemplates how to adapt in a changed security environment, it is imperative that the transatlantic community explores what is next for the Alliance and the United States specifically.

The Atlantic Council welcomed Senators Shaheen and Tillis to discuss what long-term support the United States and its allies can offer to Ukraine and its people, how to strengthen Western resolve and unity through the upcoming winter, and how to bolster collective defense to resist expanding Russian aggression, including in critical regions such as the Black Sea.

The Scowcroft Center’s Transatlantic Security Initiative is pleased to present this live event as part of the Atlantic Council’s #ACFrontPage event series, our premier ideas platform spotlighting global leaders and championing constructive solutions to global challenges. The Transatlantic Security Initiative shapes and influences the debate on the greatest security challenges facing the North Atlantic Alliance and its key partners.

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 high-level event series featuring top newsmakers across multiple digital platforms. Harnessing the convening power and expertise of the Council’s sixteen 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.

Introductory remarks

Featuring

The Hon. Thom Tillis
Senator for North Carolina and Co-Chair, NATO Observer Group
US Senate

The Hon. Jeanne Shaheen
Senator for New Hampshire and Co-Chair, NATO Observer Group
US Senate

In conversation with

Nick Schifrin

Foreign Affairs and Defense Correspondent
PBS NewsHour

The Atlantic Council is a member of the Atlantic Treaty Association and is committed to advancing transatlantic cooperation through NATO.

The Transatlantic Security Initiative shapes and influences the debate on the greatest security challenges facing the North Atlantic Alliance and its key partners.