Heather Conley and Roger Zeikheim Testimony on the U.S. and International Response to Russia’s War on Ukraine
U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services
March 1st, 2022 – 9:30 AM EST
Panelists:
Heather Conely
President of the German Marshall Fund
Roger Zeikheim
Director of the Ronald Reagan Institute
On March 1st, 2022 the Senate Armed Services Committee held a hearing to receive testimony on the global security challenges facing the United States. The committee could not have assembled at a more timely occurrence; just five days before the hearing Russian president Vladimir Putin announced special military operations into Ukraine. Called to speak was the President of the German Marshall Fund, Heather Conely, as well as the Director of the Ronald Reagan Institute, Roger Zeikheim. These two experts share decades of experience serving in advisory roles for the Department of State and the U.S. House Armed Services Committee. Both have advised our country on military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan; Ms. Conely also brings a unique expertise on issues related to American security interests in Europe.
In their opening remarks, both Conely and Zeiheim stressed the importance of Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine and how it serves as a turning point for security strategy in Europe. Ms. Conely discussed the need to both strengthen the NATO alliance and modernize the military capabilities of states in Europe. She labels the conflict with Russia as one that extends to a multitude of domains such as conventional forces, cyber security, space, and confrontation in regions such as the Arctic. The European expert also identified the joint Sino-Russian statement released two weeks prior to Russia’s invasion as a symbol of the impending threats America and Europe must grapple with in this era of geopolitics. Despite a history of disagreements, Russia and China seem to be aligning on matters of Ukraine and Taiwan. Ultimately, they hope to expel American influence in both Europe and the Indo-Pacific region. Thus, the United States must establish a joint Sino-Russian strategy that builds on already established partnerships in Europe and that seeks to foster a security network to counteract China in the Pacific.
Mr. Zakheim provided very specific recommendations for the committee to consider as the situation escalates on the ground in Ukraine. He recommends the use of covert forces to destroy roads and bridges in order to prevent the Russian convoy from reaching Kiev. Furthermore, he makes clear that we must not hesitate from the deployment of intermediate missiles in Europe that will allow us to attach nuclear warheads if necessary in the future. While Zakheim views the draining of Russian oligarch’s bank accounts as a critical means to apply pressure, he views the current stage of sanctions as trivial. Ultimately, they have yet to induce the changes he wishes to see in Putin’s actions and will likely not have the desired effect because of the Russian President’s lack of accountability to the public at large.
Both experts stressed the importance of international support and institutions to the committee, asserting that Ukraine’s acceptance to the EU single market community would alleviate some of the economic pressure placed on them. Issues such as American citizens still stranded in Ukraine and American dependence on foreign oil also loom large on their priority list. They ultimately conclude that NATO failed to preemptively prepare Ukraine for these events, and that until adequate DOD spending that outpaces inflation is provided, we will remain limited in our capabilities.
For a recording of the full committee hearing, please visit the Senate Committee on Armed Services hearings calendar.