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
-
Brussels Sprouts Live: Four Ambassadors Reimagine the Transatlantic Relationship
Podcast
Today's episode comes from the CNAS Annual Conference held last week in Washington, D.C. The theme of this year's conference was “New Rules,” and nowhere is that more evident ...
By Andrea Kendall-Taylor
-
Trump Confirms Helicopter Shot Down by Iran and Vows U.S. Response
Video
Joining the program are former US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense and adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security Jim Townsend and Iran expert Dr. Ro...
By Jim Townsend
-
U.S. Posture Changes and the Future of European Defense Planning
Podcast
Over the last several weeks, European allies have been trying to interpret a steady stream of signals from Washington about the future of the U.S. military role in Europe, dis...
By Andrea Kendall-Taylor & Jim Townsend
-
UK Could Send RAF to Romania as Russia Ramps up Attacks on NATO
Video
"I think we’ve got to be very deliberate. I think we have to be very strong in how we show unification behind Romania." Russia has been "ramping up" its attacks on NATO allies...
By Jim Townsend
