War crystalizes young Ukrainian leaders’ calls for a future aligned with Europe

Charles Kupchan, who worked on European issues in the Obama White House, said Putin miscalculated.

Like I, as a member of parliament, is on the red list either to be killed or to be captured,” she said.

They have few memories of life under Soviet rule, and they say this war has hardened their resolve to align Ukraine with the West.

ORDOÑEZ: As we move past piles of sandbags and anti-tank barricades, the 34-year-old member of parliament explains how she sees this war.

ORDOÑEZ: Like President Zelenskyy, Shkrum was elected without much political experience, but she had international experience.

He says new leaders like Shkrum not only can speak with Western heads of state without an interpreter, but they understand their culture, their idiosyncrasies.

YEVHENIIA KRAVCHUK: It’s new people, new thinking.

ORDOÑEZ: And she says the war has focused Ukrainians, young and old, on this vision for a more democratic Ukraine that is being championed by young leaders.

ORDOÑEZ: Even now, as we walk inside, half of the restaurant is filled with soldiers, their machine guns and sniper rifles resting on their legs or tucked in corners.

ORDOÑEZ: She and three other battalion members met with Western leaders, with ministers of defense, ministers of the economy.

Like, I, as a member of Parliament, is on the red list either to be killed or to be captured.

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