Ambassador Douglas Lute Discusses the Global Economic Impact of Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine

Speaker: Ambassador. Doug Lute, U.S. Ambassador to NATO from 2013-1017, former Deputy National Security Advisor and Lt. General and Director of Operations on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Ambassador Doug Lute spoke with the ALI community about the global economic impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In framing comments, Amb. Lute said the conflict is about the struggle between two competing visions of how the world governs itself: the western nation-state model vs Putin’s empire building model and noted Putin’s surprise over the strength of the coalition against Russia. On energy, food, and critical minerals markets, Amb. Lute expected continued pain in these areas, as global markets adjust, and predicted that Putin would try to take advantage of the unrest these shortages and rising prices would cause politically in certain countries.  Amb. Lute observed that though China has been close to Russia in rhetoric, it has been mindful of sanctions. Finally, he discussed the importance of strengthening multilateral institutions like NATO, the EU, and the UN, in order to address Russia and China’s expansionist policies. Click here to hear the complete discussion.