The war in Ukraine is increasingly connected to conflicts and strategic competition far beyond Eastern Europe.
On this episode of Peace and Power Ukraine, host Gary Marx is joined by Ilan Berman, Senior Vice President of the American Foreign Policy Council, to examine the growing connections between Russia, China, Iran and North Korea—and what those relationships mean for Ukraine and U.S. foreign policy.
Berman discusses Ukraine’s expanding defense technology capabilities, the pressures created by competing demands for air defense and munitions, and the challenges facing U.S. efforts to negotiate with Vladimir Putin.
The conversation also examines sanctions against Russia, efforts to pressure Russia’s energy sector, Ukraine’s deep-strike campaign, and how Moscow has transformed its economy to sustain a prolonged war.
Finally, Berman explains why he believes Russia’s wartime economic model could have implications beyond Ukraine and argues that any strategy for isolating Moscow must account for the international partnerships helping Russia sustain its war effort.
00:00 — Introducing Ilan Berman
01:26 — Connecting Ukraine, Russia, Iran & China
04:19 — Ukraine's Defense Technology & the Middle East
06:30 — Air Defense, Patriots & Ukraine's Needs
07:54 — U.S. Negotiations With Russia
12:10 — New Sanctions Against Russia & Iran
17:47 — Economic Pressure & Russia's Reintegration
21:19 — Ukraine's Deep Strikes Inside Russia
24:04 — Russia's War Economy & the Risk Beyond Ukraine
26:00 — Battlefield Momentum & Prospects for Negotiations
29:23 — Isolating Russia and Its International Partners