As Russia's war against Ukraine continues, questions are mounting about Europe's security, America's relationship with Moscow, and Ukraine's ability to withstand another winter of Russian attacks.

Yaroslav Trofimov, Chief Foreign-Affairs Correspondent at The Wall Street Journal and author of Our Enemies Will Vanish: The Russian Invasion and Ukraine's War of Independence, joins Gary Marx on Peace & Power to discuss the latest developments in the war, the changing relationship between the United States and Europe, and the challenges of reporting from the world's most dangerous conflict zones.

A Pulitzer Prize finalist for his reporting on Ukraine, Trofimov reflects on his experiences covering the first year and a half of Russia's full-scale invasion. He shares firsthand accounts of Ukraine's defense of Kyiv, the liberation of occupied territories, and how the growing use of drones has transformed the battlefield and made frontline journalism increasingly dangerous.

The conversation then turns to Europe's nuclear security and France's efforts to expand its nuclear deterrence cooperation with European allies. Trofimov explains how uncertainty surrounding America's nuclear commitments has encouraged European governments to reconsider their security arrangements and strengthen their defenses against Russian threats.

Gary and Yaroslav also examine growing criticism of President Donald Trump's approach to Vladimir Putin, including concerns about a reported U.S.–Russia diesel arrangement and the potential consequences for Ukraine. They discuss congressional opposition, the upcoming midterm elections, and whether Washington's evolving relationship with Moscow could weaken American leverage in future peace negotiations.

Trofimov addresses reported restrictions affecting Starshield satellite services used by Ukrainian forces, explaining how limitations on connectivity could disrupt drone operations and complicate Ukraine's military efforts.

The discussion also explores the Warsaw Security Forum, Europe's increasingly important role in supporting Ukraine, and the prospects for renewed negotiations involving Washington, Moscow, and Kyiv.

As Ukraine prepares for another winter of attacks against its energy infrastructure, Trofimov examines shortages of air-defense interceptors and the difficult choices facing Ukrainian military planners.

Finally, he reflects on his childhood, his path into international journalism, and how his reporting across Ukraine and the Middle East has shaped his understanding of the increasingly interconnected conflicts involving Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea.

From the front lines of Ukraine to the future of European security, this episode of Peace & Power offers a firsthand perspective on the geopolitical challenges shaping the war and the international order.

01:23 - Opening: Europe's Nuclear Deterrent

01:46 - Introducing Yaroslav Trofimov

02:56 - Our Enemies Will Vanish and Reporting from Ukraine

05:01 - Witnessing Ukraine's Resistance and Liberation

07:45 - France's Nuclear Deterrent and Europe's Security

12:34 - Trump, Putin and Congressional Opposition

15:32 - Starshield Restrictions and Ukrainian Drone Operations

17:26 - Warsaw Security Forum and the U.S.-Europe Alliance

20:22 - Europe's Role in Ukraine and the Prospects for Peace

24:42 - Ukraine's Winter Air Defense Crisis

27:07 - Life as a Foreign Correspondent in War Zones

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Russia has abducted thousands of Ukrainian children, separating them from their families and attempting to erase their Ukrainian identities. What is being done to bring these children home, and why isn't the world paying more attention?

Sarah Makin, Visiting Fellow at Independent Women's Voice and former senior official in the Trump administration's National Security Council, joins Gary Marx on Peace & Power to discuss Russia's abduction of Ukrainian children, the fight to reunite families, and the latest developments in U.S. policy toward Russia and Ukraine.

Makin discusses her recent Newsmax op-ed, "A Year Later, 31 Children Are Not Enough, Mr. Putin," examining the efforts to secure the return of Ukrainian children and the role First Lady Melania Trump has played through quiet diplomacy. While acknowledging the importance of every child returned, she argues that far more must be done to reunite families and confront Russia's efforts to indoctrinate and assimilate abducted children.

The conversation highlights the work of Save Ukraine, an organization helping rescue children and provide the support they need after returning home. Makin also discusses her documentary project, A Faith Under Siege, including the short documentary Stolen Children, which follows efforts to bring Ukrainian children home.

Gary and Sarah then turn to recent developments involving President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, including a reported diesel arrangement that they fear could generate additional revenue for Russia's war effort. They examine the potential consequences for Ukraine, questions surrounding sanctions enforcement, and the competing diplomatic considerations influencing U.S. policy.

Drawing on her experience in the White House, Makin discusses the challenges of presidential decision-making, the influence of competing advisers, and the importance of maintaining pressure on governments responsible for human rights abuses.

Finally, the conversation explores international religious freedom, President Volodymyr Zelensky's meeting with the Pope, and the role religious leaders can play in defending persecuted communities in Ukraine and around the world.

From the plight of abducted children to the difficult choices facing American policymakers, this episode examines the human consequences of Russia's war and the continuing struggle for peace, justice, and religious freedom.

00:00 - Introduction and Sarah Makin

01:49 - Russia's Abduction of Ukrainian Children

05:32 - Melania Trump's Efforts to Bring Children Home

09:27 - Save Ukraine and the Stolen Children Documentary

15:54 - Russia's Indoctrination of Ukrainian Children

17:55 - Trump's Russia Diesel Deal and Ukraine Sanctions

22:00 - White House Decision-Making and Diplomacy

26:21 - Religious Freedom and Zelensky's Meeting with the Pope

30:05 - Closing Thoughts

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In this special on-location edition of Peace and Power, host Gary Marx reports directly from Warsaw, Poland, bringing listeners firsthand coverage of the Warsaw Security Forum, one of Europe's prominent international security conferences.

Organized by the Casimir Pulaski Foundation, the Warsaw Security Forum brings together political leaders, military officials, policymakers, and security experts from across the transatlantic community to discuss NATO, European defense, Russia's war against Ukraine, and emerging threats to global security. Founded in 2014, the forum has grown into a major gathering for international security discussions, with approximately 3,000 participants representing 90 countries at this year's event.

Rather than a traditional studio interview, this special episode features a collection of short reports recorded by Gary throughout the conference.

Gary speaks with Josh Bergin of the forum's New Security Leaders program about the conference's growth, its mission, and the importance of building lasting relationships among the next generation of transatlantic leaders.

He also shares observations from sessions featuring prominent American and European officials, including former CIA Director General David Petraeus, General Keith Kellogg, U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker, former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, former British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace, and Senator Roger Wicker.

Throughout the episode, Gary highlights discussions surrounding NATO's collective defense strategy, Russia's aggression against Ukraine, nuclear deterrence, emerging military technologies, intelligence sharing, and the growing security challenges posed by cooperation among Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea.

The special coverage also includes recognition of a Ukrainian frontline medic's courage and General Kellogg's contributions to American national security.

Join Gary Marx for this special Peace and Power report from Warsaw, featuring firsthand observations, international perspectives, and important conversations about the future of European and global security.

00:00 — Special Report from Warsaw Security Forum

00:09 — Gary Marx Interviews Josh Burgin

01:14 — The Forum's Growth & International Reach

02:00 — The Origins of Warsaw Security Forum

03:09 — Building the Next Generation of Security Leaders

04:40 — Bipartisan Leadership & How to Get Involved

06:14 — Gary's Report from Day One

07:02 — Nuclear Deterrence, AI & Russian Threats

07:52 — Senator Wicker & NATO's Defense Strategy

09:42 — Day Two: Honoring Ukrainian Courage & Gen. Kellogg

10:48 — Senator Wicker on Ukraine, Defense Spending & Global Threats

12:18 — Closing & Social Media

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