Former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine discusses Russian invasion at Phoenix event

By Vaughan Jones
Published: Monday, May 23, 2022 - 9:31am

The former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine was in Phoenix late last week, speaking at a dinner program hosted by the Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations.

Marie Yovanovitch followed up the appearance with a discussion about the war in Ukraine on PBS's “Arizona Horizon.”

“I think that overall, the Ukrainians are still winning, and I think they will win, because they have Western assistance. But they also know why they are fighting, this is an existential fight for Ukraine,” said Yavanovitch.

She says she feels Russian President Vladimir Putin made three miscalculations when choosing to invade Ukraine.

“One, that his military was up to the task. Two, that the Ukrainians would not resist. And three, that the West would not be united,” said Yavaonvitch.

In recent war news, Russia’s defense minister said Friday that the country’s military successfully completed its takeover of the port city of Mariupol.

Saturday, President Joe Biden signed a $40 billion aid package passed by Congress that will provide security, humanitarian and economic assistance to Ukraine.

Politics