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Ukraine and European security in the Trump era: Insights from Sen. Elissa Slotkin

Listen: Three years into the invasion of Ukraine, and amid the Trump administration’s rapid shift in US-Russia relations, can European and NATO allies continue to rely on the United States for support? On the GZERO World Podcast, Ian Bremmer is on the ground in Germany on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference for a hard look at the future of European security with US Senator Elissa Slotkin. World leaders and diplomats gathered at the annual conference to discuss global security challenges, but the biggest story, by far, in Munich was the news of President Trump’s 90-minute phone call with Vladimir Putin, which upended three years of US-led efforts to isolate Russia diplomatically. The Trump administration is emphatic: it wants an end to the war and that Europe is responsible for maintaining peace in any ceasefire deal. But can Europe guarantee Ukraine’s security without US support? Later in the episode, GZERO’s Tony Maciulis speaks with Alina Polyakova, President and CEO of the Center for European Policy Analysis, to discuss the reaction to the Trump-Putin call and growing fears that NATO allies will be left on the sidelines of peace negotiations in Ukraine.

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Trump's call with Putin is big win for Kremlin

“We cannot afford to be reactive,” said Alina Polyakova, President and CEO of the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA), responding to the news of President Trump’s recent call with Vladimir Putin.

Trump’s conversation with Putin, which reportedly included discussions on reducing US commitments to NATO, has sent shockwaves through European security circles. Meanwhile, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s recent remarks suggesting that Europe must take more responsibility for its defense have further fueled uncertainty among US allies.

Polyakova cautioned that authoritarian regimes are watching closely, using AI-driven disinformation and cyber warfare to exploit divisions. “The transatlantic alliance is at a crossroads,” she warned. “This is a moment where democracies must assert their leadership, not retreat.”

With European elections looming and global security tensions rising, the debate over the US commitment to its allies will remain a central issue in Munich in 2025—and one that will shape the future of Western security.

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Ukraine joining NATO "is the only option," says Alina Polyakova | Global Stage

Ukraine joining NATO "is the only option," says Alina Polyakova

GZERO’s Tony Maciulis catches up with Alina Polyakova, President and CEO of the Center for European Analysis, on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference to assess Ukraine’s precarious situation two years after Russia's invasion. Polyakova highlights the intensified military strategy employed by Russia, making the situation dire for Ukraine. She stresses the urgent need for more military support and equipment from Ukraine's allies, especially from the United States.

Polyakova also addresses the debate around Ukraine's potential NATO membership, arguing vehemently for its inclusion. “The only way to secure what have been very positive wins of Western support for Ukraine is to solidify that at the NATO summit by extending an invitation to Ukraine, to even a session talks," Polyakova tells Maciulis. She dismisses the notion that Ukraine's membership would escalate tensions with Russia, asserting that NATO serves as a deterrent to aggression. She emphasizes that Ukraine's integration into NATO is crucial for Europe's long-term security.

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TITLE PLACEHOLDLER - INTL WOMEN'S DAY 2023 VIDEO | GZERO Media

GZERO celebrates International Women's Day

On International Women's Day, we’re proud to showcase just a few of the exceptional women we’ve interviewed on “GZERO World with Ian Bremmer,” our weekly program on US public television. The accomplishments of these remarkable women have made them role models globally. Click to watch our interviews with:

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Alina Polyakova: Why Ukraine Matters | GZERO World

Why Ukraine is the target of Russian aggression – analyst Alina Polyakova

Tensions continue to escalate in Ukraine with Russian troop build-up and constant cyberattacks.

Will Putin invade Ukraine? Ian Bremmer speaks with Russia/Ukraine expert Alina Polyakova of the Center for European Policy Analysis, who believes that all the signals are pointing to a Russian invasion of Ukraine - though that could strengthen NATO.

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Russian Hackers' Arrests Timing Likely Just Coincidence, Says Ukraine Analyst | GZERO World

Russian hackers' arrests timing likely just coincidence, says Ukraine analyst

Russia recently arrested 14 hackers from REvil, a ransomware gang involved in last year's cyberattack against the Colonial Pipeline in the US.

Some think it was a gesture by Vladimir Putin to deescalate tensions with the US over Ukraine. But analyst Alina Polyakova tells Ian Bremmer she doesn't buy it.

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Ukraine’s Fragile Democracy Needs Help | GZERO World with Ian Bremmer

Ukraine’s fragile democracy needs help

Ukraine's democracy has a lot of problems. Then again, the country has only had it for 30 years, not 200.

"It's a country that is still finding out what it means to be a democracy," says Ukraine analyst Alina Polyakova in an interview on GZERO World with Ian Bremmer.

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Putin Shouldn't Test NATO Unity, Says Analyst Alina Polyakova | GZERO World with Ian Bremmer

Putin shouldn't test NATO unity, says analyst Alina Polyakova

The US has been leading the flurry of diplomacy to stop war in Ukraine. Why? For Ukraine expert Alina Polyakova, because the Europeans are not united.

NATO's response is thus (so far) fractured, she tells Ian Bremmer on GZERO World.

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