Escalation with Gabrielius Landsbergis

Mariia Nazarova is a combat medic in the Ukrainian Army, witnessing events close-up since 2014. She describes the innovations that have transformed the work of medics on the front line and how Ukrainians have developed their training to increase survival rates in a war fought in new ways with new weapons. An inspirational conversation with an inspirational soldier. We wish Mariia and her new baby much love and luck for the future.00:00 Mariia Nazarova's Background and Experience01:57 The Evolution of Combat Medicine in Ukraine10:20 Challenges Faced by Combat Medics12:59 Trauma and Resilience in War15:25 Support and Understanding from the International Community16:22 Resilience and the Fight for Ukraine20:41 Advice for Neighboring Countries23:20 Preparedness and Civilian Training27:44 Combat Medical Training Insights31:49 The Current Situation at the Front36:32 Negotiations and Trust Issues38:06 Western Support and ExpectationsSubscribe to the mailinglist at landsbergis.comFollow on socials @GLandsbergisFor booking Gabrielius Landsbergis please contact his agent at Chartwell Speakers [email protected]

Ben Hodges had an action-packed career in the US military, gaining deep knowledge of the strategic background in Europe. Ben is a vocal supporter of Ukraine and we are honoured to have this opportunity to hear his zoomed-out assessment of the strategic shifts playing out around the world.00:00 Understanding Ukraine's Path to Victory05:35 The Fear of Escalation and Its Implications09:56 Evolution of Ukrainian Military Strategy13:31 Western Support and Capabilities for Ukraine17:26 Logistics and the Challenges of Military Aid21:19 The Debate on Military Support and Strategic Objectives24:43 The Coalition of the Willing: Feasibility and Political Will32:20 Phases of Conflict Resolution35:22 Risks After Ceasefire39:30 Historical Lessons from WWII43:50 Potential Pearl Harbor Moment46:03 US Military Repositioning in Europe51:30 Lithuania's Defense Strategies53:56 Advocating for Ukraine's NeedsSubscribe to the mailinglist at landsbergis.comFollow Gabrielius on socials @GLandsbergis

Jakub Janda is a Czech political scientist and the Executive Director of the European Value Center for Security Policy. Based in Prague and now also active in Taipei, Jakub has been at the forefront of efforts to counter hybrid threats from authoritarian regimes, with a sharp focus on Russian and Chinese influence operations in Europe and beyond.00:00 Introduction to Czech Politics and Indo-Pacific Relations02:35 Czech Republic's Unique Position on China and Taiwan05:27 The Impact of Czech Elections on Foreign Policy08:10 US-Russia-China Dynamics and the Reverse Kissinger11:16 China's Strategic Interests in Europe and Indo-Pacific13:58 China's Military Assertiveness and Economic Engagement16:56 Long-term Chinese Strategy and Global Alliances23:48 The Cost of Alliances in Asia26:15 The Impact of Ukraine on Indo-Pacific Security29:05 Taiwan's Lessons from Ukraine34:38 China's Strategic Options for Taiwan43:08 Advice for European Leaders on Indo-Pacific StrategyJoin the mailing list:⁠⁠⁠⁠ landsbergis.com⁠⁠⁠Follow Gabrielius Landsbergis on social media: @glandsbergis

Jonas Ohman is Co-founder of Blue/Yellow www.blue-yellow.lt Europe's biggest non-governmental supplier of military aid to Ukraine. Blue/Yellow has raised $100million since 2014, primarily in Lithuania, a country of only 3 million people. We talked to Jonas about his personal journey, the outstanding work of his NGO and the situation on the ground in Ukraine as he sees it.00:00 Journey to Lithuania04:15 Understanding the Nordic Perspective06:56 The Role of Blue Yellow in Supporting Ukraine11:14 The Evolution of Warfare: Drones and Technology12:30 Changes in Ukraine: From 2014 to Now16:46 Nation Building and Identity in Ukraine17:01 Logistics and Challenges of Humanitarian Aid18:29 Understanding the Humanitarian Response to Ukraine23:33 Lessons Learned from the Ongoing Conflict28:09 The Example of Finland32:51 Shifting Security Paradigms in EuropeJoin the mailing list:⁠⁠⁠⁠landsbergis.com⁠⁠⁠Follow Gabrielius Landsbergis on social media:@GLandsbergisDonate to Blue/Yellow:www.blue-yellow.lt

Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine's former Minister of Foreign Affairs, discusses diplomacy in the ongoing war. Together with Gabrielius Landsbergis he talks about the failures of de-escalation and the historical context that has shaped Western perceptions of Ukraine. Touching on peace plans, security guarantees and nuclear weapons, this is a very enlightening crash course in what the West is doing wrong.00:00 Introduction to Ukraine's Diplomatic Struggles02:06 Lessons from Failed De-escalation Efforts05:50 Historical Context and Western Misunderstandings07:57 The West's Evolving Perception of Ukraine09:38 Challenges of Peace Plans and Ceasefires11:19 Ukrainian Opinions about Peace Deals14:15 Putin's Motivations for Negotiation15:59 The Need for Security Guarantees19:14 The Feasibility of Peacekeepers21:04 Historical Lessons from Minsk Agreements22:59 The Importance of Kursk in Negotiations25:03 The Nuclear Weapons Debate31:49 The Call for Elections Amidst War34:35 Responses to the Pope's comments36:39 President Zelensky's DiplomacyJoin the mailing list:⁠⁠⁠⁠ landsbergis.com⁠⁠⁠Follow Gabrielius Landsbergis on social media: @GLandsbergis

Thórdís Gylfadóttir was Iceland's Minister of Foreign Affairs until recently. And recently a lot has been going on in her neighbourhood–the North Atlantic and Arctic. She explains her perspective to Gabrielius Landsbergis at this historic and unpredictable moment in the region's history. 00:00 Iceland's Foreign Policy and Political Landscape 08:10 Iceland's Support for Ukraine 14:34 Geopolitics of the Arctic Region 18:55 Greenland's Independence and Future Prospects Join the mailing list: ⁠⁠⁠landsbergis.com⁠⁠ Follow Gabrielius Landsbergis on X and Bluesky: @GLandsbergis

Vytis Jurkonis is a Lithuanian human rights defender and the go-to-guy for dissidents who need to flee Belarus and Russia. In this pilot episode of Escalation, Gabrielius Landsbergis talks to Vytis about how Lithuania became a haven for dissidents, and how we could achieve the goal of Belarus and Russia becoming free, peaceful and democratic countries. 00:00 Introduction 02:17 Lithuania as a Place of Refuge 05:00 The Process of Seeking Refuge in Lithuania 07:39 Understanding the Belarusian Regime 09:52 Negotiating with Authoritarian Leaders 12:37 Lithuania's Role in Supporting Dissidents 15:01 Svetlana Tsikhanouskaya and Lithuania 16:54 Lithuania's Historical Support for Freedom 20:58 Solidarity with Freedom Movements in Eastern Europe 23:30 Understanding Russia's Opposition and Dissidents 29:00 The Role of Independent Media in Russia 32:12 The Complexity of Russian Identity and Guilt 38:53 The Path to a Democratic Russia Join the mailing list: ⁠⁠landsbergis.com⁠ Follow Gabrielius Landsbergis on X and Bluesky: @GLandsbergis