William Taylor: "The US does not see the events in Ukraine as a prelude to World War III"

“The view from the United States is that this is not a prelude to World War III. The view from the United States is that Ukraine is defending itself from an invasion, an unprovoked aggression attack from Russia. And for nine hundred and sixty one days, Ukraine has held off the Russians. We are very pleased that we've been able to support Ukraine and assist Ukraine in holding off the Russians for nine hundred and sixty one days. Because we see this not as World War III. We see this as Ukraine defending, sadly on Ukrainian soil, the rest of Europe from this aggression from the Russians. The Russians have attacked Ukraine. They have not yet attacked NATO or any NATO ally. This is a war of Russia against Ukraine, and we are supporting Ukraine in its fight. And President Biden has made it clear in the past month that our goal is for Ukraine to win. And that's important to us, it is obviously important to Ukraine, and it is important for the rest of Europe. So this is why we are supporting Ukraine. It's not a broader world war. It is a defence of Ukraine of a nation's sovereignty and independence. And that's what we want to maintain.”

What is the situation in Ukraine from the point of view of the United States and American policy, and is the world currently on the brink of World War III?

In a new episode of the "(un)Safe Country" podcast, its host Alina Frolova talked to William Taylor, former US Ambassador to Ukraine and Vice President of the Center for Europe and Russia at the United States Institute of Peace. The conversation was about the US position on the war in Ukraine unleashed by Russia, the upcoming US elections and the candidates' strategies for the war in Ukraine, the possibility of inviting Ukraine to NATO, ways to establish peace, America's perception of Russia and lessons learned from mistakes, and the US support for Ukraine.