Garčević & Storella React to Zelensky’s Speech Before Congress
Ambassador Vesko Garčević, Professor of the Practice of International Relations at the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University, and Mark Storella, Professor of the Practice of Diplomacy at the Pardee School, offered insight into Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s virtual address before the United States Congress on March 16, 2022.
In his address, Zelensky thanked the U.S. for the aid it has delivered so far, but he argued that more assistance is desperately needed. Specifically, he called for the U.S. to help enforce a no-fly zone in Ukraine to protect civilians, jet fighters and more advanced air defense systems, as well as more powerful economic sanctions.
Garčević and Storella published accompanying posts in response to the Ukrainian president’s address. Garčević argued that the U.S. and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies are stuck in an “escalation paradox” in which they cannot sit idly by as Ukraine suffers but cannot risk direct intervention with Russia. He said a mix of the rigorous sanctions and military aid seems to be the most realistic way ahead for Washington, and a step-by-step peacebuilding effort is the best approach to reducing risks of further escalation.
Storella’s analysis broke down the diplomatic minutia of Zelensky’s speech and questioned what the path forward for the U.S. is. As Storella points out, U.S. President Joe Biden proclaimed to the world “America is back when inaugurated; Zelensky politely asked him to prove it. He concludes by speculating on how President Biden may meet the military, economic, humanitarian, and diplomatic requests of the Ukrainian president.
The full POV can be read on BU Today‘s website.
During his diplomatic career, Ambassador Vesko Garčević dealt with issues pertinent to European security and NATO for almost 14 years. In 2004, he was posted in Vienna to serve as Ambassador to Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. He had been a Montenegro’s Ambassador to NATO from 2010 until 2014 and served as Montenegro’s National Coordinator for NATO from 2015 until he joined the faculty at the Pardee School. Learn more about Ambassador Garčević on his faculty profile.
Ambassador Mark C. Storella was a United States Foreign Service Officer for over three decades serving as Ambassador to Zambia, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration, and Dean of the Leadership and Management School of the Foreign Service Institute. Storella is recipient of the Presidential Rank Award, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Excellence in Service Award, the Thomas Jefferson Award presented by American Citizens Abroad, and several Department of State superior and meritorious honor awards. Learn more about Ambassador Storella on his faculty profile.