A Conversation with Fiona Hill on Russia, Vladimir Putin, and Ukraine

This program features Dr. Fiona Hill, a leading expert on Russia and Vladimir Putin. The conversation is moderated by LAWACTH Board Member Bob Abernethy.
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Timecodes
0:00 Introduction
4:20 Welcome Fiona Hill
41:20 Who/what are the major influences on Russian state behavior, and what happens when Putin passes on?
47:35 What do you think about the US sending Patriot missile defensive systems to Ukraine?
52:40 Can Russia sustain a long-term war against Ukraine militarily, economically, and politically?
57:05 What can the US do to minimize help to Russia by potentially neutral countries like India, Turkey, and China?
1:04:00 Conclusion

[@luiscasassa]

An amazing woman. Such a pleasure to hear her talk about multinational topics.

[@markolson2466]

Fiona Hill is always a source of accurate information and exquisite detail! Thank you!

[@julianwilkins1669]

I have been listening to dr. Hill for years. She is a treasure, I am so thankful for people like her attempting to make the world a better place. Thank you all

[@philipmulville8218]

Fiona Hill is such an impressive and accomplished person. Her analysis is brilliant. Thank you for sharing this important and thoroughly interesting discussion.

[@martinMD]

I could just listen to Fiona for ever. Thank you

[@paulfromdevon4707]

She was awesome at the Capital Hill hearings and made me one proud Brit. Plus...I fell a little bit in love if I'm honest 😊

[@18_rabbit]

yep, we yanks did too, bigtime. She's stellar, and then some! I studied at GU SFS long ago, and imho, she saved our country--only she had the sense of authority to make those hearings work right, etc. She saved the USA from demise, i seriously believe.

[@philipmulville8218]

Me too, Paul. I had the great pleasure of meeting Fiona in Ireland recently, and couldn’t agree more. She is such an impressive and accomplished person.

[@janesoole703]

Remarkable analysis and historical knowledge and such clear presentation. Thank you. Jane Soole, Dorset, England

[@andyreznick]

Dr. Hill is an intellectual treasure. Thanks for having her on.

[@princessalaina4589]

I enjoy listening to her speak. Her accent is pleasant to hear.

[@markbeames7852]

Dr. Hill is the poster child for why immigration is so vital to the heart and soul of the United States. Thanks Fiona and thanks too for those wise, wise words from your beloved selfless father, "There's nothing for you here, pet."

[@aurelia5614]

Sadly, this generous appreciation of Dr Hill and of the benefits of immigration are not popularly reciprocated or shared in the land of her birth. Alas, more often seen as problematic.

[@markbeames7852]

@@aurelia5614 Would you be referring to BREXIT?

[@aurelia5614]

@@markbeames7852 That pretty much sums it up, yeah.

[@paulfromdevon4707]

@@markbeames7852 Brexit is a national embarrassment in the UK where many Leavers are waking up to the damage it has done. Alas too late

[@wendsknox4652]

I could listen to her all of my day. Just wandered downstairs to make more tea 11.09pm London Town. She’s so easy on the ear and as an amateur historian she’s fascinating. Love her voice, love her intellect. What doesn’t this woman know? She’s magnificent.

[@China-Sucks]

Great discussion! I'm a big fan of Dr. Hill! It's so embarrassing and completely ridiculous that her good service to our country had to be interrupted and infected with our unprofessional past President. Fiona Hill, John Bolton, Rex Tillerson and many Generals were reduced to evacuees in that crumbling mess!

[@jameshoosier7928]

Trump is the best President in our lifetime. Because of the current administration over 100k young Ukraine men have been snuffed out in the meat grinder of war. A war that was totally avoidable.

[@MorrisDugan]

I wouldn't compare Fiona Hill to a neocon hack like Bolton, or an oil oligarch like Tillerson.

[@scottyd3138]

@@MorrisDugan i subbed to your channel, I like your style brother!

[@lexo1517]

Fiona Hill, every word, great analysis. Thank you. Where are CNN, Fox, MSNBC in giving enough air time to someone like this? They won't do it, she might say something the billionaires don't like.

[@fedorloginov3150]

I don’t know much about American politicians who can be described as an experts of Russia. But what I’ve heard from Fiona Hill is very close to the truth. She knows what she speaks about and I hope many people in America share her vision.

[@Gloomy984]

She's been on CNN, including with Amanpour, and also MSNBC.

[@Longtack55]

Your assertions are childishly ridiculous. She has appeared many times on those MSM channels. She's a historian - not a corrupt political animal.

[@maflones]

Unfortunately, that other idiot ruined the video.

[@lexo1517]

@@Longtack55 Yes child, the point was that she deserves more than short interviews. I observe this a a normal watcher of the media. I have seen plenty of talking heads, over and over. Have you seen her on Fox? I'm so sorry for upsetting you're delicate perspective.

[@superslice28magee68]

Great conversation!

[@mchozen2958]

Fiona is always brilliant. Thank you for this presentation

[@big1dog23]

I have a crush! Dr. Hill, thank you for your service.

[@Kavala76]

Atlantic Council? Rand Corporation? Brookings Institution? Gee, I wonder what point of view they espouse?

[@snc8537]

…with such benign sounding names…😊

[@anneli4441]

As Fiona Hill says, we need to step up helping Ukraine defend itself! As long as necessary. I am so impressed by the resilience of the Ukrainians! Thanks so much to the US for all the valuable help to Ukraine. My country, Norway, is also contributing pretty good. Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦. Best wishes from Norway 🇧🇻

[@donsimon34]

700 thousand Russian troops coming into Ukraine. How is Ukraine. Going to win?

[@dmytrobondal4127]

Thank you Norway! ❤

[@MorrisDugan]

@@donsimon34 All of them all at once? How many are actually trained, equipped, and ready to deploy? If Russia actually did that, Ukraine's main problem would be how to deal with a massive increase in dead Russian bodies and Russian POW's. Russia would have a massive supply problem within weeks. Russia would start losing the Caucasus countries, Kaliningrad, some Chinese border territory, and other disputed territory, because who would be left minding the store there? Assad in Syria and Lukashenko in Belarus would find themselves in serious trouble, too.

[@heartofsteel7821]

The west is needlessly prolonging this war. The good thing is Ukranians are stupid enough to entertain them.

[@MorrisDugan]

@@heartofsteel7821 Because they're not sending more weapons more quickly, so Ukraine could have kicked out the Russians by now? Even if the Ukrainians had gotten noticeably less aid, the Russians would have had a very tough time, like in Afghanistan. And it would be an even more prolonged war.

[@impm1164]

Fiona knows what she is talking about.

[@thesilkpainter]

I would love to see a discussion between Fiona Hill and Gabriele Krone Schmalz.

[@karenpalazzini4400]

Yes - I would love to see a good, 1-2 hour long conversation between these women as well - they're both capable of sticking to the actual arguments being made and not taking emotional cheap shots which do not help solve this enormous crisis.

[@cliffsandifer3877]

Not to belittle her intellect but I so much enjoy her dialect. She has quite the horizons of global dynamics painted with her dialect

[@ingenemcova5616]

With all respect to Fiona Hill: the Austro - Hungarian crown prince assasinated in Sarajevo, was Ferdinand and not Franz Josef ( he was the emperor)...

[@michaelg8193]

Where would Fiona Hill be without your vast knowledge.

[@cavaliermama56]

What a pleasure this has been.

[@Backwardlooking]

👍🏻🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 More of this should be on Western media. More in-depth analysis rather than mere reportage.

[@AstraI]

check out PBS frontline - putin files, operation infecktion, putins road to war or anything by Juilia Ioffe

[@lt3290]

@@AstraI PBS is not trustworthy. It's 100% propaganda.

[@AstraI]

@@lt3290 PBS is trustworthy and makes excellent and well researched documentaries you're not trustworthy and a russian bot

[@lt3290]

@@AstraI Ignorance is bliss for someone who considers PBS' content to be excellent and well-researched.

[@AstraI]

@@lt3290 do you have any evidence? or just your feelings? what have you based this conclusion off? sounds like you're just parroting things you've heard. Sounds like the kremlin gremlin is upset

[@TKMcClone]

I'm glad to listen to Fiona Hill again, KZbin needs more of her. I wish that she would do an interview on Breaking Points or Realignment.

[@ajmarecki]

Lex had her on his podcast.

[@TKMcClone]

​@@ajmarecki Yes, I watched that one thanks. The anti-establishment podcasters who toy with a Pro-Russia narrative are the ones who would benefit from her input.

[@TaichiStraightlife]

Brilliant, very deep, especially near the end, when she unpacks her understanding of the other players' motivations: China, India & Turkey. LOTS of food for thought; many thanks Dr. Hill, and you're right, USG-64; Dr. Fiona Hill is a national treasure.

[@glennmorrissey5309]

Thank you for sharing this conversation!

[@detectiveofmoneypolitics]

Economic investigator Frank G Melbourne Australia 🇦🇺 still watching this informative content cheers Frank

[@normabrien8331]

Thank you Dr. Hill for such profound dive into the past and all its implications in today’s murkiness.

[@coreyham3753]

Excellent presentation by Dr. Hill.

[@TLA725]

Thank you for hosting Dr. Hill. May I humbly petition for a conversation engaging Kevin Rudd and Fiona Hill?

[@ge12mma345ge12]

No!!! Please, not Kevin Rudd too!

[@snc8537]

@@ge12mma345ge12… so called China Specialist…😢

[@garryford6439]

Thank you Fiona for sharing your informed understanding of Russia in both an historical and current view point. Having traveled extensively and worked in Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan for a number of years I feel some attachment and profound grief for what Vladimir Putin has done to return this country to a very fearful, closed, and secretive state. I was totally astonished that only about 1 million of its' citizens fled Russia after the inversion of Ukraine. Unlike Putin's understanding of Ukrainians, even the Russian speaking Ukrainian population, they are a different demographic group of individuals that have few similarities and viewpoints with ethnic Russians living in Moscow. The Ukrainian wish for democracy scares the inner circle of Russian society. Under the current Russian government there is no negotiating after a defined objective has been given. It will only sacrifice time and it's citizens in wave after wave of marginally trained and equipped forces. Moscow's thinking on this matter is that we have whited over 100 years to reunite this territory with the Motherland and we will do everything in our power to accomplish this objective. Even if it's the end of society as we now know it.

[@whisperjack]

weird them that according to Ukraines foreign minister that of all the people who fled Ukraine, the majority of them fled TO Russia. Somethings not right with western analysis when it doesnt match the analysis given by the other 80% of earths population. Just making an observation

[@daviddunne4737]

Thank God Dr Hill crossed the ATLANTIC .

[@paulfromdevon4707]

Please, please can we have her back?! 🙏

[@usg-647]

Fiona Hill is a national treasure.

[@AstraI]

international treasure*

[@jezalb2710]

Which nation?

[@whisperjack]

lol

[@jamesbarry1673]

“The truth is rarely pure and never simple.” ― Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest

[@lidiagoldfeld9681]

“I think it is clear that the American people are largely divorced from the reality of this [Ukrainian] conflict, as they have been for the last 30 years. War has always been something that happened far away on somebody else’s soil. The difference this time is that Washington has decided, along with help and assistance particularly from its allies and London and the global financial community run out of New York City, to wage war on the Russian state with the goal of not simply of regime change but destroying the state particularly dismembering it.” - Col. Douglas Macgregor

[@gfscfinance8866]

Reminds me of George Orwell's, 1984

[@larsrons7937]

Very interesting conversation, thanks for uploading. These issues must be kept strong within our interest, because no matter how much we could grow tired of hearing about war, - *Ukraine matters.* To all of us, the whole world. Especially for part of the world (NATO) with which Putin believes (or want to give the impression) that "he is at war with". We must keep focus on helping Ukraine.

[@larsrons7937]

@@dlmdee A lot more will still have to be resolved on the battlefield before any negotiations can take place. As long as both sides each believe they can win none of them will want peace talks. It's that simple. Both sides each have to frequently mention peace talks and pretend they want it, to influence different groups of interest, but as long as no side believe they are losing and can't turn the table enough, peace negotiations simply can't happen. Even if everyone (including themselves) wish for it.

[@stevenhenry5267]

Russia doesn't want peace.

[@larsrons7937]

@@stevenhenry5267 Right. Russia doesn't want peace, or rather Russia want peace through aggressively invading and asserting control over a "buffer zone". It all lies within Putin's concept of _"Russian MIR"_ (meaning both "peace" and "the world") - _"the world will be at peace when the world (at least around Russia) is Russian"._ Yes we understand why Russia wish a "buffer zone" - but so would most other countries in the world. But a zone of "no mans land" between countries is simply impossible. One can have/ create a zone of neighbouring countries through control, or friendship. But "buffer zones" created through aggression and asserting control *don't* remove problems, only create problems. *_If neighbouring countries are a problem - make good ties with them._*

[@chrisfreebairn870]

@@larsrons7937 P had many many chances to choose a positive integratuve track for Russia, but each time opted for personal power & aggrandizing path; color revolutions, & demos in Russia got under his skin, & he saw the threat, but rejected the positive options, choosing manipulation, opportunism & force instead; I don't see how the West can do anything other than help UKR as quickly as possible to defeat the Russians in UKR; the big concern is that means Crimea too, & P might well get suicidal regionally destructive impulses before he let's that happen; might need some decisive preventative action in the Kremlin about then ..

[@ioliloizidou2872]

How would you evaluate the situation in the Balkans? Is it a ticking bomb in the heart of Europe? What’s Russia’s involvement in this area, particularly in connection with Serbia?

[@alanbrookes6637]

Excellent conversation from Dr. Hill, a great mind from the old industrial region of uk Newcastle, America’s gain.

[@ameliedzinka]

With all due respect to Fiona Hill it was not Lenin who carved out a Soviet republic of Ukraine. The Ukrainian People's Republic proclaimed its independence from the Russian empire on 22 January 1917. Then it lost in a war to Bolsheviks which resulted in many casualties. But that is why Ukraine was included in the Soviet Union as a separate republic in 1922.

[@jesusjuarezflores2196]

"To be an enemy of America can be dangerous, but to be a friend is fatal." Henry Kissinger. Amen. Have you heard it European NATO countries and Ukraine?

[@lembergnative7731]

GTFO, Russian troll.

[@MyTuha]

But it seems that many people in the world still are missing the most important point here - Ukrainians do not want to be under Russia and this has nothing to do with America etc.

[@gfscfinance8866]

Yes, she has an impressive background and accomplishments. I wonder what her public or.private opinions would be on the destruction of nordstream pipeline, and the fact that the French president complained that the US gas mafia sold oil and gas at 6 times the price.

[@orctowngrot8842]

Thanks. Very good.

[@ioliloizidou2872]

Following Dr. Hill’s comments about Putin’s age, he’s still young compared to Biden!

[@chrisfreebairn870]

Not young for a Russian; average life expectancy fir men about 65 or less I think.

[@arnoldvilleneuve8397]

Please focus on sound quality. It really detracts from the quality of the interviewer and interviewee's questions and answers.

[@Longtack55]

Great to hear Dr Hill truthfully assert that the 1916 Influenza pandemic began in the USA (Kansas.) There are so many false narratives.

[@jezalb2710]

Nobody fully knows where it started. She is not a specialist in this area.

[@archersfriend5900]

Hey, Kansas is awesome!

[@lynnlytton8244]

Part of the problem was that there was a war on at the time. Nobody wanted to admit their side had it, and now would be a great time to attack. Spain wasn't involved, and could afford to admit it existed. People who only read newspapers got the idea it must have started there, but no. It took a while to trace it back to Kansas.

[@Longtack55]

@@lynnlytton8244 The US was not involved in WW1 until more than a year later.

[@Longtack55]

@@jezalb2710 Birds fly - (although I am not an expert.)

[@guardiangypsy2682]

Thank you so much for this ❤🇺🇦

[@texaspatty4697]

Fiona's view on Trump, Putin, and "soft coups" starts on 36:38.

[@theworth123]

A North East miner's lass done good. Hope to see her back home in Durham later this year. A true international lass...

[@skog44]

Mmm, a lovely accent from the hard working industrial part of England. Some even said say she is beautiful, which is of course in the eye of the beholder, and I am sure she would agree. A somewhat sentimental audience to be sure! She seems to be on the back foot when trying to explain things; lots of defensive gestures such as hands facing the camera, looking side to side and lots of blinking. No wonder she is in a very well paid, pentagon supported, commentary and behind the scenes advisory/ prompting, possibly even manipulating role. Good on her for her career achievements 👍 She talks about Russia having "ruthless" tactics when it comes to poisoning people etc, but I don't think the US or Britain for that matter are soft, fluffy and cuddly countries either. One needs to listen very carefully to what Dr Hill says and take notes, then go back on those notes and study what is factual and what is her opinion. She drops the occasional splatter bomb. One example is her commentry on the relationship triangle between Zelensky, Trump and Biden. Trump had some dirt on Hunter no doubt, which would make me think that Zelensky has Biden over a barrel, which is why he can screw the US (and NATO) for all it is worth. I think Zelensky is ruthless, someone who was elected on his ideals for peace between Russia and (The) Ukraine. He might have a naive and idealistic candidate to begin with, but like most clowns, he is dancing on a very hot cauldron of political carnage and amazingly has been able to keep himself and his family alive, all credit due! The US backed Stefan Bandera associates will be squeezing every drop of Zelensky juice possible, and as a person well informed on the Hunter Biden facts Zelensky is obviously in a position to lever as much as he can from the US administration. He has had to turn into a ruthless puppy dog for his own survival. Anyway, his wife is having a good shopping spree in Paris and as the man says, 'happy wife, happy life!'

[@rikcoach1]

Classic example by the interviewer to the old saying “There are not questions, just statements.”

[@kj1483]

Now Hill is a senior fellow in the Center on the United States and Europe in the Foreign Policy program at the Brookings Institution. Due to her background in Russian history and time spent living in Russia in the late 1980’s, Hill’s analysis of the current conflict includes cultural and historical context that helps to explain why Putin is so deeply invested in controlling Ukraine.

[@gfscfinance8866]

In fact the US industry is holding our EU partners hostage with mercantilist pricing.

[@krisgen29]

i find it a little difficult to hear the gentleman in this video!

[@waterman121]

Fiona appears 04:28

[@howardleekilby7390]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@JohnMHill-oi6rb]

Fiona, are you a cousin or aunt? You sure look like my sister! John M. Hill, born in Springhill, a mining town in Nova Scotia, Can.

[@medicuswashington9870]

Chancellor Angela Merkels 'revelations explains the beginning and the end of the Ukraine operation

[@fintonmainz7845]

More of Doctor Hill please!

[@susanpena7575]

Dr. Fiona Hill is a hero and a national treasure! She's always brilliant and unflappable. Love and gratitude to her!

[@kj1483]

28:16 / 1:07:02 Freedom On Fire: Ukraine's Fight For Freedom...The new documentary film by Oscar-nominated director Evgeny Afineevsky--premiered this September 2022 at the Venice International Film Festival.

[@seacoconut]

Excellent roundup

[@dandaintac388]

A new containment strategy needs to be developed for Russia. One that is not just aimed at military containment--but also somehow contains Russia's ability to wage propaganda warfare, information warfare, cyber warfare, and economic warfare.

[@stephenhill545]

My namesake nailed it.

[@kerrybracken5026]

So grateful to hear some sanity. 🙏👌❤️

[@douglaspouch5313]

"How would Washington respond if Russia established a military alliance with Canada and then set up rocket installations 70 miles from the U.S. border? What would happen if Russia then used those rocket installations to conduct live-fire training exercises to practice destroying military targets inside America? Would U.S. leaders accept verbal assurances from Russia that its intentions were benign?" - Benjamin Abelow - How the West Brought War to Ukraine

[@reddeercanoe]

You must be smoking grass, your text has no logic.

[@johndale5689]

I worry about that when we invade Canada And Russia helps the Canadians. Russian propaganda used to be pretty good .... They're losing that like they're losing the war. Putin has real problems now... And propaganda isn't going to get him out of a mess of his own doing!

[@jacobburdick1501]

@@reddeercanoe Typical low IQ response. Evade, feign lack of understanding, insult, run away. Either bot or NPC. Thx for playing.

[@mariavm9178]

Fiona Hill is PHENOMENAL! And such a beautiful woman.

[@edwardrichardson8254]

Fiona, WWI was not kicked off by "Franz Joseph, the Austrian Crown Prince being assassinated by his wife." LORD! That would be the Archduke, Franz Ferdinand. Franz Joseph was the Emperor of Austria/King of Hungary, his son Crown Prince Rudolph committed suicide in 1889 leading to Emperor Franz Joseph's nephew ARCHDUKE FRANZ FERDINAND becoming the heir-presumptive. YOU GOT TO GET THAT ONE RIGHT BABE!

[@janeayres8772]

True, but not 'by his wife' - she said 'alongside', I think

[@edwardrichardson8254]

​@@janeayres8772 I mean "by" in the sense of "alongside" (which she did say, you are correct). What makes her "Prince' comment sting to those of us who are students of this war is that the wife 'alongside' him was a non-dynastic lady-in-waiting to the Royal Family he married (think Prince Harry now... sorta) against immense pressure from the family. This completely threw the Empire into disarray because Franz had become heir to the throne after the actual Prince, his cousin, committed suicide (For love! It was a double-suicide with his mistress, he had been cheating on his wife - WHOLE NOTHER DRAMA!). Because Franz chose to marry an outlier out of love, she would have no titles granted to her or their children, and have no royal privileges extended to her. At state affairs they literally had to eat separately, she could not be seen in the royal carriage, etc. This dude married for LOVE. It's one of the great love stories. And it ended as one too. The day they were killed in Sarajevo was the 14th anniversary of their Oath of Renunciation denying their children right to ascend to the throne, denying her her husband's rank, title, and privileges, and meaning that in most circumstances she would not be allowed to appear in public with her husband. They had to go to far-flung places like Sarajevo to be allowed to be seen in public together. This was a romantic getaway for them, and they rode top-down waving to the crowd like a regular royal couple. When they were shot, she began dying first and he said to her "Sopherl! Sopherl! Sterbe nicht! Bleibe am Leben für unsere Kinder! - Sophie dear! Don't die! Stay alive for our children!" Then he sank down next to her and died. Opera could not improve on it. Four weeks later, a world war starts over this event that leads to the deaths of 20 million.

[@Peitzker-Lingham]

Genial! As we say in Deutschland. Brilliant 👏 👏 👏

[@christianeneubauer1228]

The danger is to believe in a narrativ Thats far from Reality.

[@snc8537]

… the narrative does not even start from the beginning…only at self serving junctures

[@findbridge1790]

thank you Langley and chatham house for these clowns. laughter is always good. lol

[@juliegrimme]

Freedom on Fire? Might I suggest Ukraine on Fire. I disagree with you both.

[@Maelli535]

A well-spent 70 minutes - thank you! 🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦 Слава Україні! 🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦

[@benedictcowell6547]

I have now watched in succession two American women talking; one whose social opinions I would not subscribe but her discussion of the crisis of 6 January 2020: this lady talking about Russia and Putin, and can only testify that America is spectacular. I do not always like their style, but, as a 'French Communist' I must concede that the USA is politically impresive, and their women vindicate women's suffrage and education for women ,which makes them not only impressive but at a critical moment in huan affairs, reassuring. It is not only politically they give hope and strength, but when men on the right panic themselves into hysterical extremes, intellectually and temperamentally but very often academically and culturally, they manifest judgement, imagination and creative judgement, as well as realism and rationality.

[@jacobburdick1501]

fake

[@FrontLinePub]

If ONLY we could get our NATO allies to give more than just tough sounding speeches and waiting flags of support. The EU collectively has a 17 trillion dollar GDP economy. The fact that they cannot after 10 months of war start to ramp up military production of vehicles ammunitions is just beyond shocking. What has to happen for Europe to finally take Ukraine War serious and start wrapping up military production to actually allow the Ukrainians to win? Why does Europe always default back to America and then rely on the US to have to do all of the heavy lifting and provide everything? When this budget passes in the US Congress the United States in 10 months will have pledged and given the Ukrainians 110 billion dollars that's more than Europe collectively spends on its national defense several times over yearly? Europe needs to grow up then he needs to stop or lying on America to do everything for them and be there guaranteed protector. Made it was supposed to be a mutual defense alliance there's a word called mutual and that is something that the alliance members have been abusing America on for decades in a needs to stop because you're not going to always have that support inside America if this continues much longer War has really shown this to be a problem.

[@reddeercanoe]

The Military Industrial complex is a huge entity in the USA ,and this war is good for their business. The Europeans have taken in millions of Ukraine refugees and provided a lot of other aid. You are correct about Germany and France being slackers of course.

[@RobBCactive]

Your numbers are not correct, in 2021, European defense €214 billion and Germany plan €50bn extra annually, with other countries planning more spending too. Furthermore there's been increased production of Soviet munitions to supply Ukraine. The same reasons the US taken time to procure replacement arms on run down stocks apply. European countries neighbouring Russia prioritise cost effective defense, you don't see Finland and Poland building prestige air craft carriers and stealth bombers to project hard power into the Pacific or western hemisphere. Excluding UK & France, NNPT (nuclear non-proliferation) means a collective security. The USA didn't even cooperate with UK nuke development despite the transfer of European scientists and program to Los Alamos. The US maintains bases and forces to fight the next 2 powers simultaneously, it pursues US interests doing this. It's no accident US oil companies were dominant in Iran & Saudi during the Cold War. There's no doubt there's been a failure of deterrence, but you should realise that Vladolf Pootin banked on division, when threatening NATO and including US/NATO in his war aims. Finally Perun has thoroughly researched videos, AA, tanks and IFV's have been sent by European countries, but they DO NOT enjoy oceans separating them from Russia. They also have the most to lose if Vladolf Pootinazi launches demo nukes. US media gives very little time to contributions by other countries, nor the reality that the US is mostly sending old stocks, like the M777 howitzers for example. Many have had to switch essential energy supplies this year and face high energy prices, risking unemployment, so governments have more to do than call up their populations and begin WW3. The strategy is containment and trying to avoid widening the war.

[@APW554]

Cost works out at 80 cents per day for USA to keep the free world safe ,Everyone should help to the maximum though we in the U.K. are doing what we can. ( Calculation worked out by Jake Broe)

[@A2Z1Two3]

@@reddeercanoe France and Germany were/are Putin apologists, in particular Macron will , if given the chance , push Ukraine into ‘negotiations’ and giving up annexed areas of Ukraine in return for peace . ( And we all know that would not be a lasting peace )

[@A2Z1Two3]

The Russian air defence system is being exposed as defenceless with the recent recent attacks on airfields deep inside Russia.

[@DanielBritoist]

The neocon's!

[@A2Z1Two3]

Nice ( but obvious) plug for your book Fiona ‘ There is nothing for you here’ .

[@pynn1000]

Fiona Hill's point about Putin's age: he's just 70, so already passed current male life expectancy for Russia. Gorbachev died this year at 91 so taking good advice, living a healthy lifestyle, receiving good care, and having a few thousand Rosgvardiya looking after him may prolong Putin's life.

[@herbert92x]

Good talk. She did spend five minutes defending Brookings as ‘non partisan’ however. Old rule of thumb, if you have to spend time defending the institution, it really is partisan. Just own it and move on to the talk.

[@marks_sparks1]

Brookings - non partisan (good joke)

[@CatalystD9]

Fiona Hill ... knows her onions 🇺🇦🙏🇨🇦

[@plrt6794]

It’s refreshing to listen to or read people who are well spoken, intelligent and can speak concisely and in layman’s terms.

[@lidiagoldfeld9681]

God bless Russia and Putin!!!

[@kj1483]

Author of...There's nothing for you here; finding opportunity in the 21st century... which includes explanation of turbulent politics over last 10 years, and her own story. Fiona Hill is a leading expert on Russia and Vladimir Putin. She served as an intelligence analyst for former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, and as Deputy Assistant to the president and senior director for European and Russian affairs on the National Security Council under former President Trump.

[@e_valley2707]

Minsk Agreements would have kept the Donbass within the Ukraine but Kiev refused to do what the Swiss, Belgium and Canada has done (Odessa Massacre).

[@stevenhenry5267]

Nothing but propaganda

[@fedorloginov3150]

Minsk agreements would never have kept the Donbass within Ukraine. Putin was going to use Minsk agreements as an instrument to keep Ukraine under his influence. That’s all.

[@e_valley2707]

@@fedorloginov3150 ... none are so blind as those who refuse to see ...

[@fedorloginov3150]

@@e_valley2707 depends on what you want to see. As a citizen of Russia I can tell you things works this way.

[@neviavihtelic7184]

Exaclty and now we know that Angela Merkel was only mouthpiece for US and never serious about peaceful solution. This tells us everything Vladimir Putin has said was right.

[@fairman1455]

Fiona is exceptional

[@jacobburdick1501]

exceptionally dishonest.

[@fairman1455]

@@jacobburdick1501 Yes Jacob we "Dickheads"(that's me and you but mainly you) know she lies through her back teeth but you must agree she does it exceptionally well, unlike Putin who cannot Lie to save his life but he may have to save his life by telling the truth one day!!! that'll be the day

[@A2Z1Two3]

We need to investigate all Russians in the West and others with links to the Russian regime. In particular , those who have access to or information on our high ranking military , and access in education to our young minds and those who are in sensitive research areas, we cannot let our research discoveries fall into Russian hands.

[@jacobburdick1501]

Guys I found the Nazi

[@markolson2466]

@A2Z absolutely we who value our civilized world must investigate and not allow enemies foreign or domestic!!

[@DmiFre]

Very poor quality of the facilitator/interviewer really detracts from the brilliance and sharpness of Dr. Hill. I would absolutely love hearing Dr. Hill discuss these issues with, say, Condoleezza Rice or someone who has more than anecdotal knowledge of Easter Europe, Russia, Ukraine and Belarus.

[@snc8537]

… oh please! two female propagandists warmongers is too much for the soul to withstand 😢

[@paulyoung4422]

Fiona Hill, is a genius, hope she can work out a way, of getting, Putin off our planet.

[@barbaranostrand4214]

Quality propaganda.

[@wiktorbetlejewski6603]

russia is not slavic. the language is similar but they are not slavic. these are the spawn of the Mongols, nothing more nothing less

[@Ms_Ve]

This is untrue

[@irahoppe3632]

The usual British chauvinism and propaganda mix.

[@NatureLover-mz7vt]

She sounds like she's deeply committed to pushing the narrative of her masters and yet is still slightly revolted by the insincerity of her own words, perhaps even subconsciously.

[@snc8537]

… A committed propagandist soundly and thoroughly trained.

[@juliegrimme]

Loved Fiona's book and loved listening to her, but disagreed with her view.

[@marketplayer]

"... Putin wants to see Ukraine defenseless ..." you are a terrible historian Fiona if after all these years you did not understand that Putin wants to see Ukraine neutral as they agreed to be in the 90s so that they cannot be used, as they are today, as a torpedo against Russia. The recent confessions of Angela Merkel about her (read the west's) insincerity in regards to Minsk agreements tells me that he indeed had a reason to not want Ukraine's involvement in Nato.

[@fedorloginov3150]

Oh man. You know nothing about Russia. Everything that Russia claims is a lie. Take a look at Belarus for example. Does Belarus look like a neutral county? It’s allied to Russia state. And not just allied. It’s almost a Russian territory. After the Soviet Union collapsed Belarus was the easiest target for Russia. Thanks to Belarus economic problems Putin managed to fasten Belarus as tight as it could be done. Without Russian loans Belarus economy will fall within a few months. All the time Putin’a vision stayed the same. He wanted to reestablish the Soviet Union. Numerous times he said in his opinion that collapse of the Soviet Union is a tragic and the worst nightmare of his own. In order to restore fallen Red Empire he needed time, money and strength which he didn’t have all that time up until the invasion of Ukraine. He also needed to corrupt European and American governments so no one could stop him from getting things done. It was Ukraine who crushed his plan. It was totally unexpected. No one knew that Ukraine can protect itself. Ukrainians doesn’t want to be with Russia. They know exactly what will happen if Ukraine fall. And I assure you, Putin thinks that all Europeans and Americans are weak. And he wants to use it. It’s totally inappropriate. He must be stopped.

[@marketplayer]

@@fedorloginov3150 Hate to break it to you but in real world great powers tell smaller neighboring countries what to do (look at US) based on their interests (something Thucydides observed many centuries ago). It is in Russia's interest to have Ukraine be neutral or allied with Russia or nonexistent at all. It is the third option they are going for now.

[@SusanBrittonSeyler]

Agree.

[@MissAnastasiyaD]

You must have missed the part when NATO never accepted Ukraine in the first place. Ukraine was neutral and is neutral. That fact didn't help it at all not to be attacked by russia. So, again, what is your point?

[@marketplayer]

@@MissAnastasiyaD Receiving arms from NATO countries and building up its army is that what you call neutral? Maybe having NATO membership in its constitution as a goal is that what you refer to as neutrality? Let's not pretend and recognize that Ukraine was turned by the west into a country hostile to Russia and most Ukrainians, especially in the western parts embarrassed it wholeheartedly as they've been doing since their alliance with Nazi Germany. So don't give me that "ukraine is innocent, ukraine is neutral, ukraine is peaceful" BS. it is one of the most hostile countries on the planet right now, it's been reared to be that way for over a century.

[@neviavihtelic7184]

My god.. I never particulary liked Fiona Hill although I came around a bit after her podcast with Lex. I understand she can't really go independent to much but anyway she could do a bit better if she wish people outside USA will take her serious.

[@stevenhenry5267]

Lol. Utter nonsense.

[@lexo1517]

What independence are you speaking of? Just seems to have an opinion that you don't(completely) agree with. I'll probably take her side, over whatever your's is, and I hate hero worship.

[@mchozen2958]

Not sure what you’re saying. Fiona is brilliant whenever I hear her.

[@donsimon34]

You can not take seriously someone who lies so much.,,,

[@chuckhillier4153]

Америка з Україною

[@verakehrli5636]

Germany should kick the Nato in the trash and continue buying gas from Russia.

[@fedorloginov3150]

Buying Russian gas means be dependent on Russia and Russian politics. Putin always used energy as a weapon. People in Europe and USA should understand that Russia is not a friend of yours. Russia’s main goal is the restoration of the Soviet Union in its borders. It’s a long term plan which can take decades. Even so Russia will be trying to achieve it. Don’t be blind.

[@lexo1517]

Russian troll

[@donsimon34]

You are the one who is blind and ignorant.

[@rikcoach1]

Thank you comrade for your thoughts. How’s the weather there in Moscow?

[@fedorloginov3150]

@@rikcoach1 it’s raining and snowing. Softer than in the US right now

[@Roskim64]

Hahahahaha so this is pro Biden woke lefist

[@garymorrison4675]

Fiona Hill is 🎯 .

[@nomigomezmolina2806]

Fiona Chill, “dime con quien andas y te dire quien heres “ bad, bad, bought and sold, truth twister!! 👎👎👎

[@azzazel225]

Unfortunately, her understanding of Russian historical experience, and more importantly, viewpoint on events, is completely detached from reality. Sadly, she greatly overestimates her ability to make predictions. Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance.

[@albertog7245]

Someone ask Fiona Hill what she thinks the U.S. would do if Mexico formed an alliance with Russia.

[@RobBCactive]

The USA respects Mexico's international borders, hasn't annexed part of Mexico and hasn't instigated break away regions. Vladolf Pootin's coercive aggressive policy drives countries to seek defense partners.

[@albertog7245]

Yeah, the U S. respected Mexico so much it only stole half of Mexico (Mexican- American War). Also, do you understand the U.S., via the CIA, helped to overthrow a democratically elected Ukrainian president in 2014 only to help install Zelenskyy, a Western puppet, who has stated that he would like to see Ukraine become a part of NATO? And what do you think the Monroe Doctrine is?

[@RobBCactive]

@@albertog7245 relying in 19th century imperialism as a justification for 21st century actions, ignores the lessons of WW1 & WW2. The Hitler re-enactment does not impress anyone. The Monroe doctrine was against European colonialism, so supporting Ukraine's & Mexico's sovereign rights against Moskal imperialism in the 21st century is entirely consistent. Listen to countries with experience of Russian "diplomacy" and you'll understand why they choose to join the EU & NATO, not Vladolf Pootin's fake CSTO & Eurasian Union for puppet states. Your rank hypocrisy is clear, I don't hear Moskals talk of returning N.Manchuris, Vladivostok and Kaliningrad to the mid-19th century owners. BS about the Revolution of Dignity, the president was elected on specific promises and it was Vladolf Pootin's intervention in Ukrainian affairs to maintain the corrupt oligarch thieving which caused a popular revolution. Vladolf lies about the CIA because he doesn't want to admit his incompetence. Corrupting foreign politicians and luxury homes & yachts is where Vladolf spent Siberian oil/gas wealth not on making life better for Russians. The fact is the RF economy was roughly the size of Texas or Italy, so the pretensions and delusions of Vladolf Pootin are ludicrous.

[@RobBCactive]

Let's ask Fiona Hill to talk more about the genocides perpetrated by Moskals in the 20th century. Mexicans have enough problems without Russians starving and murdering them, calling it "security assistance". Those in Europe voted with their feet and remember the price of the forced alliance with imperialist Moscow. Finally Vladolf abandoned Armenia longstanding CSTO ally showing the worthlessness once again of signing Moscow's treaties.

[@agorbogytr13]

@@RobBCactive Lets ask her the tortures done in CIA black prisons, lets ask him the genocide by gaymericans to the natives, lets ask her the bombing of innocent peoples in laos, lets ask her Washington fanboy 🖕🇺🇲🌈🌈.