Portrait of Condoleezza Rice
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Condoleezza Rice on Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Strong supporter of aid (strong)

TL;DR

Condoleezza Rice strongly supports providing President Zelenskyy and Ukraine with all necessary military assistance to repel Russian aggression.

Key Points

  • She advocated for the U.S. and allies to provide all necessary military assistance, specifically urging an increase in mobile armor, to allow Ukraine to push back Russian forces.

  • Rice stated that current circumstances do not favor negotiations, as asking for a settlement now would likely be fruitless or benefit Russia by allowing it to keep illegally annexed territory.

  • She publicly thanked the Ukrainian people for standing up for principles like individual liberty, noting the emergence of President Zelenskyy as a democratically elected leader with his nation's core interests at heart.

Summary

Condoleezza Rice has been a vocal advocate for providing the Ukrainian government, led by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with comprehensive military aid to effectively push back Russian forces. She co-authored an op-ed arguing for a dramatic increase in military supplies, including mobile armor, to ensure Ukraine can achieve a strong negotiating position or repel the invasion. She believes that engaging in negotiations prematurely would likely be fruitless or only benefit Russia, given the atrocities committed on Ukrainian territory. She has praised the unity and skill of the Ukrainian people and forces, expressing gratitude for their defense of values like individual liberty and self-determination.

Rice acknowledges the political concerns some have regarding provoking Russia further but counters that Russia has already engaged in extreme actions like war crimes, making further deterrence difficult. She stated that the current focus must be on helping Ukraine repel aggression, noting that the bravery of the Ukrainians, under Zelenskyy's leadership, has changed the face of Europe for the better. She also observed that the emergence of Zelenskyy as a democratically elected leader who prioritizes his nation’s core interests could be a massive positive example for other former Soviet states if Ukraine ultimately prevails.

Key Quotes

“If you'd have asked me 10 years ago was Ukraine going be carrying the banner for democracy in the former Soviet states, I wouldn't have bet on it necessarily,” Rice said. “But the emergence of (Volodymyr) Zelenskyy as not just a democratically elected leader but one who clearly has the core interest of his nation and his people at heart - it could mean a real leap forward if the Ukrainians win this, (one) that others will look and say 'Why not us?'”

“Vladimir Putin seems to believe that time is not on the Ukrainian side,” she continued. “He believes if he throws in the Russian way of war, mass at the problem, poor boys from Dagestan who are just kind of cannon fodder, if he engages in terrorist activities against the Ukrainian population, he'll wear the Ukrainians down, he'll wear us down, he'll wear the Europeans down. I don't think that's right. But we have to do everything that we can to convince him that it is indeed wrong.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Condoleezza Rice views President Volodymyr Zelenskyy positively, recognizing him as a democratically elected leader who has the core interests of his people at heart. She has expressed gratitude for the Ukrainian response under his leadership. Her support for him is demonstrated through her strong advocacy for arming Ukraine.

The provided information does not indicate any shift in Condoleezza Rice's supportive stance regarding President Zelenskyy or the need to aid his country. Her public statements consistently urge robust, urgent support for Ukraine's defense efforts. She has maintained this strong position since the full-scale invasion began.

Condoleezza Rice praised the Ukrainian people's unity and skill, especially noting the emergence of President Zelenskyy as a strong, democratically elected leader. She suggested that a Ukrainian victory under his guidance could serve as a powerful example for other nations in the former Soviet bloc. She believes the U.S. must help Ukraine secure its future.