As the war in Ukraine shifts into a third month, Roman Popadiuk is frequently asked to prognosticate on how much longer it might last and how it will end.
It is a valid question for a former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, who has the distinction of being the first person to have the diplomatic role after Ukraine achieved sovereignty following the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Russian autocrat Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has largely failed to achieve any modicum of success largely because an underdog Ukrainian military has overachieved through Western adaptations, training and supplies, as well as a nationalistic vim and vigor that has blown Russian forces off their feet.

Kasey Pipes of HighWater Strategies moderated a forum about the impact of the crisis in Ukraine with former Ambassador to Ukraine Roman Popadiuk and Rep. Roger Williams, R-Fort Worth.

His native language is Ukrainian, he was the first U.S. ambassador to the infant nation, and Roman Popadiuk cannot say he saw this coming. He is also not surprised that Russia invaded.