US Ambassador to NATO says Russia prevailing in war against Ukraine would be bad news for global order
“What NATO has done over the years is keep the peace, and worked toward stability,” says the U.S. Ambassador to NATO Julie Smith.
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban votes along with lawmakers next to deputy premier Zsolt Semjen, on Finland's bid to join NATO, at the parliament in Budapest, Hungary, Monday, March 27, 2023.
War is a constant issue around the world. Over the last few decades, countries have collaborated to tamp down rogue authoritarian governments.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was formed in 1949 with this in mind. Today, the intergovernmental military alliance consists of 30 countries — 28 from Europe and the U.S. and Canada.
U.S. Ambassador to NATO Julie Smith returned to her home state of Michigan this week to educate residents about NATO’s role in global affairs.
Hey everyone, I’m so excited to be in my home state of Michigan this week to talk about everything NATO – with students, community leaders, and even Governor Gretchen Witmer. Join me on my trip and stay tuned for more videos. pic.twitter.com/vhflq9xJ7O
— Ambassador Julianne Smith (@USAmbNATO) March 27, 2023
Smith joined Detroit Today guest host Nick Austin to discuss NATO’s history and what they’re doing to help Ukraine defend itself from Russia’s invasion.
“If we allow Russia to prevail, if we allow this bully to walk in and take control of a sovereign nation, it’s not only horrific news for the people of Ukraine…but it’s bad news for the broader global order.” – Julie Smith, U.S. Ambassador to NATO
Listen: U.S. ambassador to NATO joins ‘Detroit Today’
Guest
U.S. Ambassador to NATO Julie Smith says NATO has many countries and interest groups that collaborate to try to keep each other’s citizens safe from military threat. Smith stresses that NATO members cannot allow Russia to succeed in their invasion of Ukraine, otherwise it would set a dangerous precedent for other countries to do the same.
“If we allow Russia to prevail, if we allow this bully to walk in and take control of a sovereign nation, it’s not only horrific news for the people of Ukraine that exist in their own right and again, live in a sovereign state, but it’s bad news for the broader global order,” Smith said.
“Other countries, other autocrats, China or Iran, will look at what happens in Ukraine and take note. And if the West, if we in the United States, if Europeans, if all the other countries supporting Ukraine look away, and we get distracted, then we may find that other countries are taking that as a sign that they can do the same.”
Trusted, accurate, up-to-date.
WDET strives to make our journalism accessible to everyone. As a public media institution, we maintain our journalistic integrity through independent support from readers like you. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today.
