How did the dissolution of the Soviet Union influence Fiona Hill's views on political stability?

Hill witnessed the unraveling of the Soviet Union firsthand during her exchange program. She observed that it was largely an elite project, with deep debates and disputes among leadership leading to its collapse, rather than a mass popular uprising. This experience gives her insight into current elite divisions in the United States and the potential for political fracturing.

What is Fiona Hill's definition of non-partisanship in foreign policy?

For Hill, non-partisanship means analyzing foreign policy without an ideological lens and not aligning with one political party over another. It involves maintaining independence of thought, engaging politically on issues, and being willing to critique actions across the political spectrum based on merit rather than affiliation.

What issues did Donald Trump raise that Fiona Hill considered valid, despite her criticisms of his approach?

Hill acknowledges that Trump often asked valid questions, such as challenging European allies on their contributions to NATO defense while simultaneously purchasing Russian gas (Nord Stream 2 pipeline). She notes that while his delivery was destructive, the underlying message on some issues highlighted genuine discrepancies.

How did the impeachment proceedings against Donald Trump impact the United States, according to Fiona Hill?

Hill believes the impeachment weakened the nation due to its spectacle-like nature and the partisan politics involved, particularly the 'grandstanding' on both sides. She felt that it undermined accountability and damaged the US's standing as a 'gold standard' for its democratic institutions in the eyes of the world.

How does Fiona Hill explain the strong emotions evoked by Donald Trump?

Hill attributes the strong emotions to Trump's personality, describing him as a 'flawed guy' with zero self-awareness, exquisitely open to manipulation. She emphasizes the need for empathy to understand why roughly half the country voted for him, suggesting many voters prioritize shaking up the system or his perceived charisma over his personal flaws.

What are Vladimir Putin's key perceived achievements and turning points, according to Fiona Hill?

Putin stabilized the Russian economy and financial system in the 2000s, building a team of technocrats. The turning point was around 2011-2012, when he returned to the presidency and became convinced the US was seeking regime change, leading to increased domestic crackdown and obsession with 'reconstituting the Russian World.' The annexation of Crimea in 2014 further solidified this shift.

What is Fiona Hill's assessment of Putin's inner circle and his decision-making process?

Hill believes Putin trusts people for specific competencies but doesn't share deep political discussions or generally confide in anyone. She notes a shift, especially after COVID-19, where his views hardened, and he became more isolated, receiving filtered information that aligns with his worldview. She suggests his decision to invade Ukraine was made largely behind the back of his wider security establishment.

Does Fiona Hill believe NATO expansion provoked Russia's invasion of Ukraine?

Hill views the situation as complicated, emphasizing a longer historical view beyond NATO expansion. She argues that Moscow's problem was always Ukraine moving away from Russia's orbit, irrespective of NATO. She points to early 1990s pressure on Ukraine, its nuclear arsenal relinquishment, and its pursuit of an EU association agreement as key factors perceived by Russia as existential threats to its influence.

What is the probability of Russia using a tactical nuclear weapon in the war in Ukraine?

Hill states that Putin has definitely considered using a tactical nuclear weapon. His calculation hinges on whether such an act would achieve the desired effect of forcing the US and Europe to capitulate and Ukraine to surrender. She stresses the importance of making it clear to Putin that this outcome is not possible to deter such use.

How would Fiona Hill advise someone to converse with Vladimir Putin today?

She advises focusing on eliciting information about his worldview and potential areas of compromise, avoiding mutual recriminations. She stresses the importance of speaking in his native language to avoid losing nuance and humor in translation, which are crucial to understanding his communication style and intentions.

What gives Fiona Hill hope for the future of human civilization despite current global challenges?

Hill's hope stems from humanity's past ability to overcome tough times and people's capacity to evolve and mobilize. She draws parallels to scientific collaborations resolving complex problems like COVID-19 and emphasizes the importance of collective action, intergenerational cooperation, and not letting a crisis 'go to waste' in fostering positive change.

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Fiona Hill: Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump | Lex Fridman Podcast #335

Lex Fridman

Science & Technology8 min read200 min video

Nov 4, 2022|2,337,627 views|23,321|5,877

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TL;DR

Fiona Hill discusses her journey to foreign policy, U.S. politics, Putin's motivations, and the Ukraine war.

Key Insights

Fiona Hill's working-class upbringing in a declining British coal town instilled a deep value for education and a unique perspective on industrial regions like Donbas.

Her initial motivation to study Russian stemmed from the acute nuclear tensions of the 1980s, driven by a desire to understand and potentially prevent conflict.

Hill views non-partisanship as essential for foreign policy analysis, emphasizing independence of thought and a focus on problem-solving over ideological or tribal affiliations.

She believes that the U.S. domestic political infighting and perceived disinterest in Ukraine, particularly during the impeachment era, emboldened Putin.

Putin's shift toward aggressive foreign policy, especially after 2011-2012, is attributed to his disillusionment with the West, historical obsessions, and a desire to reconstitute the 'Russian World.'

Hill highlights the dangers of a leader's ossification of views, limited information access, and the misinterpretation of history, as seen in Putin's approach to Ukraine.

A JOURNEY FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS TO GLOBAL POLITICS

Fiona Hill's childhood in a declining coal mining town in Northeast England profoundly shaped her worldview. Born in 1965, she witnessed the collapse of local industries and her father's struggle for consistent employment. This experience instilled in her family a strong belief in the transformative power of education as a means to escape their circumstances. Hill's early aspirations, from nurse to vet, eventually converged on a path less ordinary: understanding Russia. A scholarship from the Durham miners, funded in part by solidarity from Donbas miners, enabled her to pursue Russian studies, forging an early connection to the industrial histories of both regions and an identity rooted in the working class.

THE COLD WAR'S GRIP AND THE CALL TO UNDERSTAND RUSSIA

The pervasive threat of nuclear war in the 1980s was a defining force in Hill's youth, culminating in the near-miss of 1983's Able Archer exercise. This era of acute tension, with public service announcements about nuclear blasts, led her great-uncle to challenge her to study Russian – to understand “why the Russians are trying to blow us up.” This pivotal advice channeled her linguistic talents into a mission to decipher the complexities of the Soviet Union. Her initial dream was to become a translator at arms control summits, believing that understanding the adversary was key to de-escalation.

SOVIET REALITIES AND THE FRAGILITY OF EMPIRES

Hill's first visit to the Soviet Union in 1987, at the height of perestroika, offered a stark contrast to her preconceived notions. She found not a terrifying nuclear superpower, but a place of ordinary people grappling with economic deficits and failing infrastructure. The striking similarities between the nationalized, working-class culture of northern England and the Soviet system deeply resonated with her. Witnessing the vibrancy of a revived Russian Orthodox Church and the cultural richness of Moscow, she also observed the Soviet Union's accelerating unraveling, culminating in its dissolution just years after her exchange. This period reinforced her understanding of how elite divisions, rather than popular will, can dismantle large states.

NONPARTISANSHIP: A PILLAR OF PUBLIC SERVICE

Central to Hill's professional ethos is a commitment to non-partisanship, which she defines as rigorous, ideologically neutral foreign policy analysis and avoiding political party allegiance. Having served under Presidents Bush, Obama, and Trump, she found American politics increasingly tribal, akin to supporting a sports team. Hill advocates for intellectual independence, urging individuals to evaluate ideas on merit rather than party lines. She acknowledges that even divisive figures like Donald Trump sometimes asked valid, if destructively framed, questions about long-standing policies, forcing a critical re-evaluation of the status quo within a bureaucracy often complacent with excessive civility.

THE UKRAINE WAR: A CONSEQUENCE OF U.S. DOMESTIC INFIGHTING

Hill draws a direct link between the U.S. political turmoil surrounding Trump's impeachment and Putin's decision to invade Ukraine. She argues that Moscow perceived U.S. policy towards Ukraine as a transactional personal game for Trump, rather than a matter of national security, territorial integrity, or a commitment to its independence. The impeachment spectacle, fueled by Russian disinformation and domestic political opportunism, signaled to Putin that the U.S. was not serious about Ukraine. Hill's testimony aimed to separate national security imperatives from partisan domestic politics, a failure she believes contributed significantly to the current conflict.

THE FRACTURING OF AMERICAN POLITICS: A CAUSE FOR CONCERN

Hill expresses profound disappointment in the erosion of American political norms and the integrity of institutions she once held as a “gold standard.” She lamented the personal attacks and death threats against non-partisan public servants, many of whom were naturalized citizens deeply committed to the nation’s promise. The perception of politics as a “game,” with grandstanding from both sides during events like the impeachment, weakened American standing internationally and contributed to a deep, often irrational, partisan divide. This fracturing, she warns, mirrors historical patterns that have led to internal conflict in other nations.

PRESIDENTIAL LEADERSHIP AND THE PITFALLS OF POWER

Analyzing the foreign policy shortcomings of the Bush, Obama, and Trump administrations, Hill points to a narrow circle of decision-making and a lack of diverse perspectives. Bush's focus on the executive, Obama's intellectual arrogance, and Trump's outright dismissal of expert advice exemplify this trend. She argues that these presidencies suffered from a failure to harness a range of ideas, akin to the collaborative ethos of scientific research. For Hill, a president's crucial role lies in their ability to hire diverse talent and foster a culture of open debate, rather than succumbing to the ossification of thought or narcissistic tendencies common in long-serving leaders.

REVITALIZING GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC SERVICE

Hill advocates for a revitalization of the U.S. governmental system, which she perceives as ossified and in need of fresh talent. She criticizes the excessive number of political appointments, congressional gridlock, and the difficulty of attracting and retaining skilled younger professionals in public service. Many talented individuals are poached by the private sector or deterred by the increasingly partisan and hostile environment. Hill believes that a more non-partisan approach, combined with greater public understanding and appreciation for government functions beyond abstract critiques, is essential to restore faith in public service and achieve better results for the country.

PUTIN'S ASCENSION AND OBLIVIOUS TRANSFORMATION

Initially, Vladimir Putin achieved significant positive outcomes for Russia. From the 2000s, he stabilized the economy, restored confidence, and assembled a competent team of technocrats, leading to a period of relative prosperity and increased political pluralism. However, Hill identifies a critical shift around 2011-2012, marking a new phase driven by Putin's growing conviction that the U.S. sought regime change and that Western interference stoked domestic protests. This period saw his increasing obsession with historical narratives, the reconstitution of the "Russian World," and a more aggressive stance both domestically and internationally. His annexation of Crimea in 2014, in Hill's view, marked the "beginning of the end" of his positive impact on Russia.

THE EVOLUTION OF PUTIN'S INNER CIRCLE AND WORLDVIEW

Putin's evolution is not solely the product of individual advisors but a reflection of a shared worldview among a nationalist contingent within Russia's security services and state apparatus. This group, many from KGB backgrounds, sought to restore the Russian Empire and Orthodox Church as instruments of state power. Hill notes that while Putin trusts individuals for specific tasks, he rarely confides deeply, compartmentalizing information and relying on his own counsel. His isolation during COVID-19 further hardened his views and limited his access to diverse information, suggesting that his decisions are increasingly shaped by pre-existing beliefs and what he wishes to hear, rather than objective input.

THE UKRAINE INVASION: A MISCALCULATION OF IDENTITY

Putin's decision to invade Ukraine in 2022, made seemingly behind the backs of much of his security establishment, was based on a fundamental miscalculation of Ukrainian identity and resolve. He believed Ukraine's government would quickly collapse, fueled by assumptions of pro-Russian sentiment among Russian speakers and the unpopularity of President Zelenskyy. However, Hill argues that Putin failed to grasp the depth of Ukrainian civic identity, the impact of 30 years of independence, and the historical tendency of nations to unite in defense against invasion. His historical interpretations, drawn from a defensive Russian worldview, blinded him to the reality of Ukrainian agency and resistance.

NATO EXPANSION, RUSSIAN GRIEVANCES, AND THE BID FOR BIPOLARITY

The role of NATO expansion in provoking Russia is a complex issue. Hill acknowledges that while NATO enlargement is part of the larger package of Ukraine looking West, the underlying problem predates NATO. From the early 1990s, nationalist elements in Russia resisted Ukraine's independence, fearing its drift from the Russian orbit. Putin views NATO as a U.S.-dominated Cold War construct, and his accusations of provocation reflect a desire to return to a bipolar world order where major powers (U.S., Russia, China) unilaterally determine global security, denying agency to smaller states. This narrative, she explains, is a means to justify Russia's actions and demand negotiations that ultimately recognize its sphere of influence.

THE RISK OF NUCLEAR ESCALATION AND GLOBAL PROLIFERATION

Hill believes Putin has certainly contemplated using tactical nuclear weapons, seeing it as a means to achieve desired effects through "escalate-to-deescalate" tactics. His references to Hiroshima and Nagasaki suggest he believes extreme measures can swiftly end conflict on his terms. She emphasizes the importance of signaling to Putin that such actions would not yield his desired outcome (e.g., U.S./European capitulation and abandonment of Ukraine). The current crisis also highlights a grave danger of nuclear proliferation, as countries like South Korea, Japan, and others reassess their security in a world where nuclear threats are openly wielded, potentially undermining decades of non-proliferation efforts and making the world profoundly less safe.

NAVIGATING CONFLICT AND FINDING HOPE

The war in Ukraine presents a multifaceted challenge, with Russia's aim of punishing Ukraine and asserting domination, and Ukraine having already achieved moral, political, and military victories despite devastating losses. Hill believes a negotiated ceasefire is the ideal outcome, but only if Russia genuinely compromises, which currently seems unlikely given Putin's entrenched position. Drawing parallels to post-World War II reconciliation in Europe, she expresses hope that humanity's ability to overcome past challenges and mobilize in crises can lead to solutions. This current crisis, while horrific, also presents an opportunity for fundamental change, fostering new forms of cooperation across generations and institutional reform.

Mentioned in This Episode

●Companies

●Organizations

●Books

●Drugs & Medications

●Concepts

●People Referenced

Common Questions

Fiona Hill grew up in a coal mining town in Northeast England during a period of industrial decline. Her father, a former miner, emphasized education as a way out. Formative experiences included witnessing her family's struggles, the threat of nuclear war, and being encouraged by a great uncle to study Russian to understand the 'enemy.'

Topics

Mental Health & Psychology History & Geopolitics Ukraine Conflict Political Polarization NATO Expansion Nuclear Proliferation Historical Context Russian Foreign Policy Leadership Analysis Government Bureaucracy

Mentioned in this video

People

Donald Trump

Former President of the United States, under whom Fiona Hill served as a top advisor on Russia; his leadership style and impact on foreign policy are discussed.

Sergei Chemezov

CEO of Rostec and a close associate of Putin from his KGB days in Dresden.

Masha Gessen

A journalist and critic with whom Putin once consulted, demonstrating his past openness to diverse viewpoints.

Rishi Sunak

New Prime Minister of the UK, the first Anglo-Indian Prime Minister, but from the same privileged academic and party background as his predecessors.

Sergey Kiriyenko

Russian politician, whom Fiona Hill knew in the 1990s and sees as fully aligned with the current regime's goals.

Dick Cheney

Former US Vice President during the Bush administration, noted for his focus on the executive branch in decision-making.

Volodymyr Zelensky

President of Ukraine, who Vladimir Putin reportedly tried to manipulate for personal political gain prior to the 2022 invasion.

Alexei Navalny

Prominent Russian opposition figure and critic of Putin, described as a Russian nationalist and patriot who seeks to change those in power rather than overthrow the state.

Pavel Palazhchenko

A phenomenal interpreter for Mikhail Gorbachev, known for speaking better than Gorbachev himself.

Leon Trotsky

Key figure in the Bolshevik Revolution, whose followers (Trotskyites) were rooted out of miners' associations.

Ksenia Sobchak

Russian socialite and past presidential candidate, who is rumored to be Putin's goddaughter and was part of an 'entertainment' competition for the election.

Henry Kissinger

Former US Secretary of State and National Security Advisor, for whom Fiona Hill had to give a presentation, illustrating the challenges of conveying information to high-level officials.

Xi Jinping

President of China, mentioned in the context of consolidating power and Putin's desire for similar acclaim.

George W. Bush

Former US President, whose administration Fiona Hill served; criticized for the invasion of Iraq.

Nikolai Patrushev

Head of Russia's Security Council, mentioned as someone who questioned US interest in Ukraine.

Mikhail Gorbachev

Soviet leader who implemented Perestroika and Glasnost, and negotiated the INF Treaty with Ronald Reagan.

Leo Tolstoy

Russian author of 'War and Peace', whose writing style was critiqued by Fiona Hill as a teenager.

George Orwell

Author mentioned as being involved in writers' circles in mining communities.

Vladislav Zubok

Professor at the London School of Economics and author of 'Collapse', a book discussed for its insights into the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Anthony Weiner

Politician whose emails on his computer were part of the chaos that tipped the 2016 election, according to the Russian ambassador.

Alexander Bortnikov

Director of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), part of Putin's inner circle stemming from a shared mindset.

Yuri Andropov

Former head of the KGB and Soviet leader, whose cohort influenced Putin's thinking on suppressing opposition and dealing with uprisings.

John Steinbeck

American author quoted at the end of the podcast, stating 'Power does not corrupt. Fear corrupts, perhaps the fear of the loss of power.'

Winston Churchill

Former British Prime Minister, quoted for his famous saying 'Never let a good crisis go to waste.'

Bashar al-Assad

President of Syria, whose use of destruction to teach a lesson is compared to Putin's actions.

Ronald Reagan

US President who negotiated the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty with Mikhail Gorbachev.

James Comey

Former FBI Director, whose actions regarding Hillary Clinton's emails were cited by the Russian ambassador as a domestic factor in the 2016 election.

Kim Jong-un

Leader of North Korea, whose actions of firing weapons are mentioned in the context of other nuclear powers and rogue states.

Sergey Surovikin

Known as 'General Armageddon', put in charge of the war in Ukraine, noted for facilitating chemical weapons use in Syria.

Vladimir Putin

President of Russia, who is the central figure of discussion, with analysis of his policies, decision-making, and historical perspectives.

David Hamburg

A scientist and former president of the Carnegie Corporation, who saw parallels between disease pathology and conflict.

Alexei Kudrin

Former Russian Finance Minister, considered a moderating force with whom Putin used to interact.

Boris Yeltsin

First President of the Russian Federation after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, who started the Chechen War and initially wanted to maintain the Soviet Union.

Barack Obama

Former US President, whose administration Fiona Hill served; discussed for his foreign policy, particularly the increase in drone attacks, and his charisma.

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

President of Turkey, whose crude way of speaking is mentioned as being lost in translation when interpreted by a refined female speaker.

Hillary Clinton

Former US Presidential candidate whose emails became a subject of controversy during the 2016 election, which the Russian ambassador referenced.

Andrei Tarkovsky

Soviet filmmaker, director of the brutal film 'Andrei Rublev'.

Ilya Kovalchuk

Mentioned as a friend of Putin from his time in St. Petersburg, someone Putin trusts for certain competencies.

Yevgeny Zamyatin

Famous writer from the early Soviet Union, who worked in shipyards in Newcastle upon Tyne, highlighting historical connections between industrial regions.

Vladimir Malyshev

Likely referring to individuals associated with nationalist elements in Moscow who historically pressured Ukraine to remain in Russia's sphere.

Dmitry Medvedev

Former Russian President and Prime Minister, who was initially seen as a warmer, fuzzier version of Putin but has since become more rigid.

Mikhail Khodorkovsky

Russian oligarch and former political prisoner, whose release from a penal colony was mentioned as an example of Putin's 'punishment' mentality.

Elisabeth Alexeieva

Likely a misspelling of 'Elena Alexandrova,' head of Memorial, an organization for historical research and human rights, with whom Putin had some respect and would talk to.

Fiona Hill

Presidential advisor and foreign policy expert specializing in Russia, who served in the Bush, Obama, and Trump administrations, and authored the book 'There's Nothing for You Here'.

James Herriot

A famous vet and author whose stories inspired Fiona Hill's childhood interest in veterinary medicine.

Alexei Venediktov

Editor of Echo of Moscow, a radio program, with whom Putin was known to talk and consult.

Sergei Shoigu

Russian Minister of Defense, described as a civil engineer and former Minister of Emergencies, not a military planner, raising questions about his competence in military strategy.

Vladimir Lenin

Founder of the Soviet Russian state, whose rigid views from a young age are compared to Putin's ossification over time.

Organizations

United States Postal Service

A government service that directly interacts with citizens, highlighting the tangible benefits of government services.

United Nations

An international organization mentioned as an institution that has degraded over time, especially regarding the veto power of permanent members on the Security Council.

US Department of Agriculture

A government agency that directly interacts with citizens, highlighting the tangible benefits of government services.

UN Security Council

The UN body where the veto power of permanent members is highlighted as a problem for global peace-keeping.

International Atomic Energy Agency

An international organization mentioned as being in a panic over the risks to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.

White House Fellows

A program mentioned for its role in bringing in new talent and expanding management fellowships to revitalize government service.

National Park Service

A government agency that enjoys strong public support due to its tangible and visible benefits.

Carnegie Corporation of New York

A philanthropic foundation that funded projects on war and conflict pathology, which Fiona Hill worked on in the 1990s.

Federal Security Service

Russia's principal security agency, which Putin previously headed and was involved in wrapping up the Chechen War.

National Intelligence Council

A government body that Fiona Hill saw as successfully bringing diverse analysis together, especially after the Iraq War analysis failures.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Cited as an example of a government institution that experienced a breakdown in its functions.

Small Business Administration

A government agency that directly interacts with citizens, highlighting the tangible benefits of government services.

Memorial

An organization dedicated to historical research and human rights, whose head, Elena Alexandrova (Elisabeth Alexeieva), was respected by Putin.

National Security Council

A government body that Fiona Hill views as a mechanism for bringing together diverse perspectives, suggesting it functions like scientific collaborations.

NATO

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, an alliance that Trump criticized over burden-sharing, and its expansion is seen by Putin as a direct challenge.

National Health Service

The public healthcare system in the United Kingdom where Fiona Hill's father worked as a porter and her mother as a midwife.

Concepts

Bolsheviks

Mentioned in the context of early Soviet history and their ties with miners, as well as their decision to rid the Orthodox Church of state instrument status.

Nuclear Umbrella

The concept of a powerful nation extending its nuclear deterrent to protect allied states, previously a US policy to prevent nuclear proliferation.

Companies

Amazon

Mentioned in the context of workers pushing for improved well-being and representation.

Starbucks

Mentioned in the context of employees pushing for unionization and representation in the workplace.

Books

There's Nothing for You Here

Fiona Hill's book detailing her journey from humble beginnings in England to the White House.

War and Peace

Leo Tolstoy's epic novel of Russian society, which Fiona Hill read as a teenager.

Drugs & Medications

Novichok

A series of nerve agents developed in the Soviet Union and Russia, mentioned as an instrument Putin has presided over using.

Locations

Finland

A country that, along with Sweden, is joining NATO due to nuclear threats, having reversed its historical neutrality.

Turkey

A country that, like Saudi Arabia, is speculated to desire nuclear weapons.

Chernobyl

The site of a past nuclear disaster, mentioned as a location through which Russian troops passed, stirring radioactive dust.

China

Mentioned as possessing an emerging nuclear arsenal and being a significant investor in Ukraine.

Pakistan

Mentioned as a nuclear power, alongside India, maintaining a strategic nuclear balance.

Saudi Arabia

A country that, like Turkey, is speculated to desire nuclear weapons in response to Iran's nuclear capacities.

Syria

A country where General Surovikin, known as 'General Armageddon', facilitated the use of chemical weapons, demonstrating a ruthless approach to warfare.

Hiroshima

City in Japan where the US dropped an atomic bomb, mentioned in the context of Putin's interpretation of nuclear weapons use as a means to end conflict swiftly.

Iran

A country mentioned as having breakout capacity to develop nuclear weapons, influencing other regional states.

India

Mentioned as a nuclear power, alongside Pakistan, maintaining a strategic nuclear balance.

Nagasaki

City in Japan where the US dropped an atomic bomb, mentioned in the context of Putin's interpretation of nuclear weapons use as a means to end conflict swiftly.

Dresden

The East German city where Putin served in the KGB, witnessing the collapse of the East German state, which shaped his worldview.

Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant

A nuclear power plant in Ukraine, whose shelling and risk by Russia were discussed, raising concerns from the IAEA.

Sweden

A country that, along with Finland, is joining NATO due to nuclear threats, previously having advocated for a ban on nuclear weapons.

Supplements

Polonium

A radioactive element used as a poison, mentioned as an instrument Putin has presided over using.

Media

Lex Fridman Podcast

The podcast platform hosting the conversation with Fiona Hill.

The Washington Post

Newspaper mentioned for an upcoming book by its journalists about the impeachment.

Andrei Rublev

A brutal film by Andrei Tarkovsky that Fiona Hill saw as a student in Moscow, emphasizing unremitting brutality.

Legislation & Policy

Budapest Memorandum

A 1994 agreement where Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons in exchange for security assurances from the US, UK, and Russia, raising questions about current obligations.

Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty

A arms control treaty signed by the United States and the Soviet Union in 1987, eliminating intermediate-range nuclear and conventional missiles.