WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today discussed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s key objectives in his unprovoked war on Ukraine as the conflict approaches its one year anniversary. In a hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), King questioned Mr. Roger Zakheim, the Washington Director at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute, about Putin’s strategy for the war’s coming months. The Senator reiterated that Russia’s best hope for success is to divide the west, but with a united front, Putin “doesn’t stand a chance” to win the war.

On Putin’s strategy to divide the west from supporting Ukraine, Senator King asked the panelists:

“It strikes me, as you look back at the Ukraine conflict, that if you combine the Ukrainians ‘Will to Fight’ with the resources of the west and the United States, Putin really, in the long run, doesn't stand a chance. It strikes me that Putin's best hope now is dividing the West and dividing the United States. Do you think that's a legitimate concern?” the Senator asked Mr. Zackheim.

Mr. Zackheim replied, “I absolutely think that's part of the Putin's strategy. I think he also questions the will of the West to continue to support Ukraine. Absolutely, I agree with that.”

Senator King then asked Mr. Zackheim to expand on the need for the west to supply military equipment to Ukraine:

“You mentioned – you used the word a few minutes ago – speedily. And one of my concerns is that, for example, with the tanks, our response has been slow, and then we have to go through training. And I'm worried right now at this moment that the Russians are preparing for a major offensive in the east that the Ukrainians aren't going to be ready for because they don't have the equipment,” Senator King said. “In other words, we've telegraphed to them that we don't have the tanks there yet, and they're going to try to take advantage of this gap. Is that something of concern?”

“Yes, Senator. I think the unclassified information I've reviewed certainly suggests that. The way I think about it, Senator, is the strategy here is to help Ukraine realize a counter offensive, to break through that Russian line that is emerging in the Donbas. To do that, we should give them all the capabilities necessary. Tanks is one example; fourth generation fighter aircraft is another. And we tend to think about the platform and get stuck rather than thinking about the strategy. If we trust Ukraine to restore its sovereign territory, then we should trust some of the platforms to do that and not be worried they're going to use the platform for some other purpose or escalate the battle beyond the territory of Ukraine,” Mr. Zackheim replied.

Senator King concluded his questioning by asking Dr. Bonny Lin, a Director at the Center for Strategic & International Studies, about the similarities between the Ukrainians will to fight against Russia and the Taiwanese will to fight against the Chinese:

Senator King asked, “The key to the success thus far of the Ukrainians has been their amazing courage and will to fight. How do you assess the will to fight of the people of Taiwan and their leadership? Is their leadership of the Churchillian quality of Zelenskyy, or are they closer to, let's say, [Former Afghanistan President] Ghani?”

“That's an excellent question, Senator. I think Taiwan is strengthening its will to fight. It's very encouraging for Taiwan to look at what Ukraine has accomplished, and it's instilling more confidence in the Taiwan people. I would also note that unlike Ukraine, where folks could leave via land, Taiwan is surrounded by water. So even if we're not necessarily seeing the strong will now, when push comes to shove, I think many people in Taiwan will find they have no escape routes and they need to fight for their home,” Dr. Lin concluded.

A member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Senator King is recognized as a thoughtful voice on national security and foreign policy issues. Senator King has shared concerns that Putin may consider “greater force in Ukraine” and condemned the attacks on Ukrainian sovereignty as “heinous”, calling for a united, international effort to push back on Putin. Senator King has also urged maximum intelligence sharing with Ukrainian officials, and cosponsored a bipartisan resolution supporting the American partner in the face of Russian aggression. He recently gave a floor speech urging deterrence to prevent war secured numerous provisions in the FY2022 National Defense Authorization Act for support to Ukraine. In January, Senator King visited Kiev to hold bilateral meetings with President Zelenskky and his Ukrainian counterparts to ensure that American aid was used efficiently with proper oversight.

In addition to his committee work, Senator King serves on the Senate North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Observer Group, is Co-Chair of the U.S. Senate Arctic Caucus, and Co-Chaired the Cyberspace Solarium Commission. 

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