The Case for Rebuilding Ukraine

Russia has caused unprecedented damage in Ukraine. And with no diplomatic end in sight to the conflict, many Ukrainians are wondering when, if ever, they will be able to go back to their homes. According to many experts, the answer is actually sooner rather than later. Can reconstruction begin before a war ends? Who pays, and where should world leaders begin?

Play Button Pause Button
0:00 0:00
x
Host
  • Gabrielle Sierra
    Director, Podcasting
Credits

Asher Ross - Supervising Producer

Markus Zakaria - Audio Producer and Sound Designer

Molly McAnany - Associate Podcast Producer

Episode Guests
  • Philip Zelikow
    White Burkett Miller Professor of History and Miller Center Wilson Newman Professor of Governance, University of Virginia
  • Sam Greene
    Director of the Democratic Resilience Program at the Center for European Policy Analysis, Professor of Russian Politics, King's College London

Show Notes

As Russia’s invasion continues to crush Ukraine’s infrastructure and economy with equal abandon, the pressure is on to rebuild the country. But reconstructing Ukraine is going to be expensive, and domestic support for Ukraine in the United States and other donor countries is shrinking. To pay for this massive undertaking, and to lift the taxpayer burden on Ukraine’s financiers, some experts have proposed using $300 billion in frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine’s recovery. While some economists see risks with that plan, nearly all agree that getting reconstruction right could help create a more peaceful world.

 

 

From CFR

 

Noah Berman and Anshu Siripurapu, “One Year of War in Ukraine: Are Sanctions Against Russia Making a Difference?” 

 

Jonathan Masters, “How Frozen Russian Assets Could Pay for Rebuilding in Ukraine

 

Jonathan Masters and Will Merrow, “How Much Aid Has the U.S. Sent Ukraine? Here Are Six Charts.

 

Diana Roy, “How Bad Is Ukraine’s Humanitarian Crisis a Year Later?

 

 

From Our Guests

 

Lawrence H. Summers, Philip Zelikow, and Robert B. Zoellick, “The Other Counteroffensive to Save Ukraine,” Foreign Affairs

 

Sam Greene, “The Black Box of Moscow,” Foreign Affairs

 

 

Read More

 

James Dobbins, Charles P. Ries, Howard J. Shatz, and Gabrielle Tarini, “Reconstructing Ukraine: Creating a Freer, More Prosperous, and Secure Future,” RAND Corporation

 

Responsibility of States for Internationally Wrongful Acts,” United Nations

 

 

Watch and Listen

 

Should Ukraine Get Russia’s Frozen Assets? Larry Summers vs Benn Steil” Open to Debate

 

Trade

Global trade tensions are boiling over and questions about the United States’ economic future are at the center of the debate. As trade experts question what comes next, it’s important to analyze how the United States got to this point. How have the current administration’s trade policies of today reshaped the global order of tomorrow?

U.S. Trade Deficit

The United States has had a trade deficit, meaning we import more than we export, for the past fifty years. But recently the trade deficit has become a front-burner issue for President Donald Trump and a core reason for his administration’s sweeping tariff policy. When do trade deficits become a problem? Is the United States already at the tipping point?

Trade

With allies and adversaries alike impacted by new economic barriers and tariffs, the global map of U.S. trade relationships hangs in question. As the U.S. rethinks its commitments with its trading partners, allies may seek deals elsewhere, even with historic rivals. Can the president single-handedly tear up a trade deal, and what happens when deals that took decades to craft are suddenly up for renegotiation?

Top Stories on CFR

Climate Change

The legislation promoted by Trump and the White House will undo many of the climate and energy initiatives and tax credit programs passed during the Joe Biden administration.

Iran

Countries without nuclear weapons could decide nuclear nonproliferation and transparency efforts that the world has taken for granted now pose more risk than reward.

Ukraine

President Donald Trump is right to pursue diplomacy in Ukraine, but success requires a dual approach. To deliver on his promise to end the Russia-Ukraine war, Trump will need to offer Russia sticks as well as carrots.