Gary Marx welcomes Steve Yates, Senior Research Fellow for China and National Security at the Heritage Foundation, former White House Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs, ex-President of Radio Free Asia, and host of the China Desk Podcast on Federal Newswire. 

Amid Iran conflict fallout, they discuss Ukraine’s global military relevance: Ukrainian know-how now aiding Middle East allies against Iranian drone/missile swarms. They explore how U.S. awareness of Putin supplying Iran with intelligence (targeting American/allied interests) could reshape Russia-Ukraine peace talks. 

The conversation pivots to Russia-China dynamics: historical rivalries, ethnic/civilizational differences, long border anxieties, resource competition in Russia’s Far East, Chinese labor migration tensions, and the fragile “no-limits” partnership (mafia-like self-interest over true alliance). Steve shares China Desk’s origin (Xi-era policy shifts, Federal Newswire launch), growth to nearly 100 episodes, and his path into China studies (accidental language pivot from Spanish to Chinese, NSA entry). 

He outlines his advisory role at Heritage: advancing conservative policies for human flourishing, Asian Studies focus, and media commentary on national security. Essential for grasping Ukraine’s strategic edge, authoritarian alliances’ limits, and interconnected global threats. 

Subscribe on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify. Visit federalnewswire.com for archives. Follow @TheChinaDesk on X.

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What role do faith, family, and democratic values play in Ukraine’s fight against authoritarian aggression?

In this episode of Peace and Power Ukraine, host Gary Marx is joined by Velentyna Pavsyukova and Yana Matviichuk, co-founders of the Research Institute of Saint Sophia, to discuss how Ukraine’s war with Russia is shaping the country’s identity, values, and future. Pavsyukova explains that one of the institute’s central goals is helping Americans better understand Ukraine as a country rooted in faith, family, and traditional values—something often misunderstood due to Russian propaganda and misinformation.

The conversation explores how the war has strained Ukrainian society, separating families as millions of refugees fled the country while fathers remained behind to defend the nation. Pavsyukova shares how her humanitarian organization Chalice of Mercy has delivered hundreds of millions of dollars in medical supplies and aid to hospitals, soldiers, and civilians across Ukraine since the start of the war.

Matviichuk also outlines the geopolitical stakes of the conflict, arguing that Ukraine’s war is part of a broader global struggle between democratic nations and authoritarian regimes. She explains that emotional appeals alone are no longer enough—Western leaders must understand the pragmatic strategic interests at stake if democracy is to prevail.

The episode also examines how Ukraine’s battlefield experience—from drone warfare to medical logistics—has created new expertise that Ukraine can share with allies. As the war reshapes global security dynamics, Pavsyukova and Matviichuk argue that Ukraine is not merely seeking aid but offering partnership in defending the free world.

00:00 — Introduction and guest introductions

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Where does Ukraine support really stand on Capitol Hill right now?

In this episode of Peace and Power Ukraine, Daniel Vaynshteyn — Associate Director of Government Relations at FDD Action and former Capitol Hill legislative director — breaks down the real state of U.S. support for Ukraine. From bipartisan sanctions efforts to partisan gridlock over tariff authority, Vaynshteyn gives a behind-the-scenes look at how Congress is navigating the war in its fifth year.

He explains why support for stronger sanctions on Russia remains high across party lines, why legislation can stall even with overwhelming co-sponsors, and how must-pass vehicles like the National Defense Authorization Act are becoming key pathways for advancing Ukraine policy.

The conversation also explores:

The “axis of aggressors” — Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea

Why sanctions packages with 80+ co-sponsors can still stall

The role of NATO’s 5% defense spending push

The Trump administration’s “peace through strength” approach

Melania Trump’s efforts to return abducted Ukrainian children

Why Ukraine is not a charity case — but a strategic military ally

What the U.S. can learn from Ukraine’s battlefield innovation

Vaynshteyn also reflects on his personal connection to Ukraine — his father emigrated from Kyiv in 1991 — and why the fight for Ukrainian sovereignty is both strategic and deeply personal.

As Ukraine develops long-range missile capabilities and continues pushing back Russian forces, this episode asks a critical question: Can the United States help secure a durable peace — and what would it take to make it last?

#DanielVaynshteyn #PeaceAndPowerUkraine #UkraineWar #RussiaUkraineWar #CapitolHill #USCongress #SanctionsOnRussia #NDAA #NationalSecurity #ForeignPolicy #NATO #AxisOfAggressors #Geopolitics #TransatlanticAlliance #UkraineVictory #DefensePolicy #MilitaryInnovation #SupportUkraine #USUkraineRelations #PeaceThroughStrength

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Season 2 begins with a wide-ranging conversation on Ukraine’s resilience, Russia’s Soviet-era legacy, and what the West must do next. Host Gary Marx is joined by Eric Patterson—President & CEO of the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation—to reflect on a powerful moment in Kyiv in late 2024, when a Ukrainian military band played in a train station as civilians stopped to sing along, a reminder of Ukraine’s cultural identity and resolve in the face of relentless war.

Patterson unpacks how Putin’s Russia still reflects authoritarian instincts shaped by communist-era tactics—control of information, intimidation of minorities, and aggression toward neighbors—while also exploring why Ukraine’s national identity and westward orientation remain such a threat to Moscow. The discussion then turns to the Munich Security Conference and Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s speech, including debates over Europe’s defense capacity, civilizational confidence, and the future of the transatlantic alliance. Finally, they assess the state of peace efforts, the absence of clear Russian concessions, and how Ukraine connects to a broader global competition stretching from Iran to Taiwan and beyond.

00:00 Season 2 launch + guest intro

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In this episode of Peace & Power Ukraine, host Gary Marx sits down with combat medic and defense-tech strategist Viktoria Honcharuk to discuss the evolving realities of the war in Ukraine — from frontline medical evacuations to the rise of drone warfare and the future of NATO strategy.

Viktoria shares her journey from Wall Street banking to serving on the front lines, offering a rare perspective on how modern warfare is changing in real time. The conversation explores battlefield innovation, Ukraine’s layered air-defense strategies, the growing role of unmanned systems, and why Ukrainian military experience is reshaping global security thinking.

Drawing on firsthand experience and policy analysis, this episode examines how technology, strategy, and resilience intersect in one of the most consequential conflicts of the modern era. Listeners will gain insight into evolving tactics, the challenges of evacuation under drone threat, and the broader geopolitical implications of Ukraine’s fight.

If you’re interested in foreign policy, defense innovation, and the future of global security, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

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In this episode of Peace and Power Ukraine, host Gary Marx speaks with policy expert Mykola Murskyj about the ongoing war in Ukraine, Russian strategic goals, and the realities behind current peace negotiations. Drawing from recent travel inside Ukraine, Murskyj discusses civilian resilience, energy infrastructure attacks, economic pressures driving the conflict, and debates around military aid, sanctions, and diplomacy.

The conversation explores the historical roots of Russian imperial thinking, the role of international policy, and the human impact of war — including infrastructure damage, displacement, and the controversy surrounding Ukrainian children transferred into Russian systems. The discussion also touches on U.S. policy decisions, sanctions on Russian oil, intelligence sharing, and broader geopolitical implications.

This interview offers a policy-focused perspective on the Ukraine-Russia conflict, examining how strategy, ideology, economics, and diplomacy intersect in one of the defining geopolitical struggles of the modern era.

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In this powerful episode of Peace and Power Ukraine, host Gary Marx welcomes back Diyana Gabyak—entrepreneur, spiritual leader, and key organizer of Ukrainian Week 2026 in Washington, DC. Together, they reflect on the brutal realities facing Ukrainians this winter, from energy shortages to missile attacks, and discuss the spiritual, moral, and geopolitical dimensions of the ongoing war. Diyana shares firsthand stories from her recent trip to Ukraine, previews major events during the upcoming Ukrainian Week, and offers a stirring call for American Christians to engage in advocacy rooted in dignity and faith. Tune in for a timely, emotional, and forward-looking conversation on justice, resilience, and unity.

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In this episode of Peace and Power: Ukraine, host Gary Marx is joined by Natalia Shapoval, President of the KSE Institute and visiting scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, for a deep, policy-focused discussion on Ukraine’s economic survival amid war.

The conversation explores the fallout from the World Economic Forum in Davos, including President Zelensky’s warnings to Europe, the growing importance of sanctions enforcement, and the strategic targeting of Russia’s shadow oil fleet. Shapoval explains why physical enforcement—not just paper sanctions—is essential to cutting off Russia’s war financing, and how new U.S. and European actions against Russian energy exports could mark a turning point.

The episode also examines proposed secondary sanctions, including U.S. legislation that would penalize countries continuing to buy Russian oil, and how global actors like China, India, and Turkey factor into the economic calculus of the war. Beyond geopolitics, Shapoval shares firsthand insight into daily life in Kyiv during winter missile attacks, energy shortages, and how universities and communities are adapting to survive.

Finally, the discussion turns to reconstruction, accountability, and human rights—why documenting war damage matters now, and why holding Russia responsible is essential to preventing future wars.

This episode offers a grounded, unscripted look at the intersection of sanctions policy, energy security, and Ukraine’s long-term resilience.

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Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov joins Peace and Power Ukraine for a wide-ranging, firsthand discussion on the war with Russia, Western military aid, sanctions, and the realities of negotiating with an autocratic regime. Drawing on his experience leading Ukraine’s defense during the opening phase of the full-scale invasion, Reznikov explains how Ukraine secured advanced weapons systems once deemed “impossible,” why Russia only responds to strength, and how sanctions can force meaningful negotiations.

The conversation explores Ukraine’s winter resilience amid attacks on energy infrastructure, the role of NATO allies and the Ramstein format, security guarantees for Europe, and why Ukraine will never concede occupied territory. Reznikov also reflects on leadership under pressure, civil-military control, faith and morale in wartime, and why this year represents a narrow but real window for peace—if the West acts decisively.

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In this on-the-ground interview from Kyiv, Ukrainian pastor and military chaplain Mark Serguyev shares how faith communities are growing during wartime, baptizing soldiers at the front, supporting veterans and families, and rebuilding church life after Russian missile attacks destroyed his home twice. The conversation explores religious unity, resilience under fire, and how churches are becoming centers of healing, worship, and community even as Ukraine faces daily drone strikes, power outages, and ongoing war with Russia.

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