July 24, 2023
Did Vilnius Deliver with Kurt Volker and Douglas Lute
On July 11 and 12, NATO held its widely anticipated Vilnius Summit to discuss current functions of the alliance as well as the future of Ukrainian membership. Despite hope that NATO may provide a clearer path for Ukraine’s accession into NATO, the alliance reiterated its commitment to Ukrainian membership once allies agree and conditions are met, leaving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy upset. Despite a high emphasis on Russia's war in Ukraine, the alliance also discussed Chinese influence, defense expenditures, and cybersecurity. To discuss the key takeaways of the Vilnius Summit, Ambassador Kurt Volker and Ambassador Douglas Lute join Carisa Nietsche and Jim Townsend on the latest episode of Brussels Sprouts.
Ambassador Douglas Lute is the former U.S. Permanent Representative to the North Atlantic Council. He currently serves as the chair of International and Defense Practices at BGR Group.
Ambassador Kurt Volker is the former U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations from 2017-2019. He is also the former U.S. Ambassador to NATO from 2008-2009. He currently serves as co-chair of the BGR’s advisory board.
More from CNAS
-
Ukraine's Winter Forecast: Economy and Politics
Podcast
A fast-approaching winter looms over Ukraine. Russia has intensified a concerted campaign against the infrastructure that keeps Ukraine’s economy running, striking railways, w...
By Andrea Kendall-Taylor & Jim Townsend
-
Why Has America Suddenly Pulled Its Bombers Out of Britain?
Video
The sudden withdrawal of American heavy bombers from RAF Fairford back to the United States follows a major incident near the Gloucestershire airbase. Five men were arrested n...
By Jim Townsend
-
The Pentagon’s Plan for a Smaller Group of NATO Allies
Video
Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby has held talks with Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Finland, describing the participants as allies that are increasin...
By Jim Townsend
-
Oct 02, ’26 Washington Roundtable
Podcast
Jim Townsend, an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, joins the Defense & Aerospace Report Washington Roundtable to discuss the Trump administr...
By Jim Townsend
