Ep. 48 - Capitol Hill, Sanctions Battles, and Why Ukraine’s Victory Is Inevitable w/Daniel Vaynshteyn

Where does Ukraine support really stand on Capitol Hill right now?

In this episode of Peace and Power Ukraine, Daniel Vaynshteyn — Associate Director of Government Relations at FDD Action and former Capitol Hill legislative director — breaks down the real state of U.S. support for Ukraine. From bipartisan sanctions efforts to partisan gridlock over tariff authority, Vaynshteyn gives a behind-the-scenes look at how Congress is navigating the war in its fifth year.

He explains why support for stronger sanctions on Russia remains high across party lines, why legislation can stall even with overwhelming co-sponsors, and how must-pass vehicles like the National Defense Authorization Act are becoming key pathways for advancing Ukraine policy.

The conversation also explores:

The “axis of aggressors” — Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea

Why sanctions packages with 80+ co-sponsors can still stall

The role of NATO’s 5% defense spending push

The Trump administration’s “peace through strength” approach

Melania Trump’s efforts to return abducted Ukrainian children

Why Ukraine is not a charity case — but a strategic military ally

What the U.S. can learn from Ukraine’s battlefield innovation

Vaynshteyn also reflects on his personal connection to Ukraine — his father emigrated from Kyiv in 1991 — and why the fight for Ukrainian sovereignty is both strategic and deeply personal.

As Ukraine develops long-range missile capabilities and continues pushing back Russian forces, this episode asks a critical question: Can the United States help secure a durable peace — and what would it take to make it last?

00:00 — Season 2 opening and introduction
00:57 — Daniel Vaynshteyn’s background and FDD Action
03:20 — The “axis of aggressors” explained
05:15 — Where Ukraine support stands in Congress (6–7 out of 10)
07:29 — Why bipartisan sanctions bills stall
10:02 — NDAA and appropriations as vehicles for Ukraine support
14:32 — Election season and legislative slowdown
16:30 — State of the Union and NATO’s 5% defense push
18:22 — Air defenses and protecting Ukrainian civilians
22:32 — Ukraine’s 900-mile missile strike inside Russia
23:39 — Ukraine as strategic ally, not charity case
29:02 — Can Trump broker peace?
31:22 — Security guarantees and deterrence
33:12 — Personal connection to Ukraine and family roots

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