Standing with Ukraine: Alexander Vindman on U.S. Foreign Policy, Putin’s Threat, and the Folly of Trumpism

In this episode, we welcome back Dr. Alexander Vindman—retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel and former Director for European Affairs on the White House National Security Council. Known for his key role in the first Trump impeachment and his deep expertise in Eastern European affairs, Vindman returns to discuss his latest book, The Folly of Realism: How the West Deceived Itself About Russia and Betrayed Ukraine. The conversation dives into the geopolitical stakes of the ongoing war in Ukraine, U.S. foreign policy across administrations, and the importance of civic responsibility in the face of authoritarianism.

What We Discuss:

• Why U.S. administrations consistently misunderstood Russia and Ukraine.

• The concept of “Neo-Idealism” and its value in foreign policy.

• How family history and personal experience shaped Vindman’s worldview.

• The political realities facing Ukraine and the U.S. in a post-Trump world.

• The role of values in sustaining democratic institutions.

Episode Highlights:

• [00:01:00] Introduction to Alexander Vindman and his background.

• [00:04:30] Alex's twin brother Eugene Vindman’s transition to Congress and bipartisan cooperation.

• [00:17:00] Reconnecting with family in Ukraine and the impact of history.

• [00:25:00] The thousand-year struggle for Ukrainian sovereignty.

• [00:38:00] Why equating Russia with Cold War power is misguided.

• [00:44:30] Vindman defines “Neo-Idealism” and its global implications.

• [01:00:00] The danger of Trumpism and dismantling of democratic norms.

• [01:07:00] How we can engage across political and cultural divides.

Featured Quotes:

“Russia, absent Ukraine, ceases to be an empire. With Ukraine, it becomes one.” – Alexander Vindman “Neo-Idealism is about tethering our interests to our values and committing to them over the long term.” – Alexander Vindman “We succumbed to misplaced hopes and fears. We thought if we treated Russia as a partner, it would behave like one.” – Alexander Vindman “You can find common ground by talking about family. That’s where our shared concerns lie.” – Alexander Vindman

Resources Mentioned:

• The Folly of Realism – www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/alexander-vindman/the-folly-of-realism/9781541705043

• Alexander Vindman’s Substack – www.avindman.com

• Alexander Vindman on Bluesky - @avindman.bsky.social

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