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Podcast Episode

Ep. 70 - Why the War in Ukraine May Be Reaching a Turning Point w/Amb. Gregory Slayton

Peace & Power Ukraine··13 August 2026·32 min

About this episode

Has the war in Ukraine reached a turning point? On this episode of Peace and Power Ukraine, host Gary Marx welcomes back former U.S. Ambassador Gregory Slayton, Chairman of Slayton Capital and author of Portraits of Ukraine: A Nation at War, for a wide-ranging conversation on Ukraine’s battlefield momentum, growing economic pressure on Russia, and why Slayton believes Vladimir Putin is increasingly running out of options. Ahead of his return to Kyiv for Ukrainian Independence Day, Slayton discusses the upcoming second edition of Portraits of Ukraine and the importance of helping Americans better understand Ukraine’s history, culture, and fight for freedom. The conversation then turns to sanctions, Russia’s struggling economy, Ukrainian strikes against Russian infrastructure, and the growing pressure the war is placing on ordinary Russians. The episode covers: Slayton’s upcoming return to Kyiv and Portraits of Ukraine New sanctions and increasing economic pressure on Russia Ukraine’s long-range strikes and Russia’s energy infrastructure Protests, democracy, and religious freedom in Ukraine Growing problems within the Russian military Why Slayton believes Ukraine has reached a pivotal moment in the war Slayton also explains why he sees Ukraine’s democratic resilience and continued European support as signs of strength, and argues that battlefield losses, economic strain, and declining military effectiveness are increasingly putting Russia on the defensive. 00:00 — Russia’s growing battlefield problems 00:31 — Ambassador Gregory Slayton returns 01:16 — Returning to Kyiv for Independence Day 05:17 — Portraits of Ukraine 10:00 — New sanctions against Russia 13:00 — Does Ukraine now have the advantage? 15:20 — Russia’s economy and oil industry 17:34 — Bringing the war home to Russia 20:06 — Protests and democracy in Ukraine 22:17 — Religious freedom and Russian propaganda 24:09 — Has the war reached a turning point? 25:49 — Problems inside the Russian military 27:50 — Ukraine, Kyiv, and Ukrainian culture 30:04 — Why Ukrainians continue to fight 31:35 — Closing thoughts Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@PeacePower_FNWFollow us on social mediaX: @PeaceAndPower_Instagram: peaceandpower_ukraineLinkedIn: Peace & Power PodcastTikTok: peace.power.ukraine Find more at Washington SignalYour source for policy, national security, and investigative journalism.https://washingtonsignal.com/