On November 6, the Center for Public Analytics "Vezha" hosted a new expert discussion with director Valeriy Kluchuk and political scientist Volodymyr Vasenko. The focus was the incident during the visit of Hollywood star and peace ambassador Angelina Jolie to Kherson. The incident was connected to an escort who had issues with military registration. Organizational shortcomings led to a public scandal around the visit.
Volodymyr Vasenko stressed that such visits require coordinated efforts, as each case like this affects the image of the state. The speakers concluded that authorities must strengthen controls over how foreign guests are accompanied, especially in wartime conditions.
The second part of the discussion centered on escalating nuclear rhetoric. Against the backdrop of statements from Russian and American leaders and China's growing potential, the risk of a new strategic arms race was highlighted. The prospect of extending the strategic offensive arms limitation Treaty and US efforts to bring China into the arms control framework were also discussed.
The conversation touched on the negotiation process between Russia and the US, the impact of tactical pauses on ending the war in Ukraine, and the expected role of future talks between Trump and Putin. Analysts emphasize that the war in Ukraine remains a primary concern for all parties, although new factors—China and internal European financial dilemmas—are emerging.
Europe’s position was discussed separately. Experts noted that Ukraine’s financial aid now depends on scarce resources, making support reliant on US and individual EU states’ financial strategies. There is growing pressure for a swift end to the war, potentially requiring compromises from Ukraine.
In conclusion, the discussion’s guests urged everyone to assess information critically, given the complexity of international processes and constantly shifting world politics surrounding the war in Ukraine.
