In Audacy's On Deadline Podcast, host Lauren Barry breaks down the latest situation in Ukraine and the controversy over its effort to join NATO. Staunch allies, including the United States, are hesitant to bring Ukraine into the alliance and risk provoking Russia, even as the former Soviet country struggles with its own internal conflict. Produced by Joe Hiti.

With a few remaining months of calm weather in Ukraine, there are talks of offensives on both sides of Russia's war. The Ukrainians are aiming to retake much of the southern, coastal areas seized by the Russians during their initial invasion. The Kremlin is talking about pushing forward with its campaign in the East, looking to control the entire Donbas region.

But armies on both sides are more than a little exhausted, in terms of available fighters and weapons. And for the Ukrainians, that's where Western aid is absolutely critical.

The Ukrainians are upping their requests for Western weapons, whether its more long-range precision missiles or fighter jets. They're reemphasizing that this is a fight for Ukraine's very survival ... as Vladimir Putin and other Russian leaders make it clear their goal is still the destruction of Ukraine as a sovereign, independent country.

Peter Mansoor is a retired U-S Army Colonel and former executive officer to General David Petraeus in Iraq. He's currently a professor of military history at THE Ohio State University. 

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Life goes on across much of Ukraine, in spite of Russia's ongoing war in the eastern and southern sections of the country. While Ukrainians attempt to adjust to life during a hostile invasion, Russia's war has undoubtedly upended just about every facet of society, including arts and culture.

Before the invasion, the Pro English Theater Group in Kyiv was putting on regular performances, building up followers and audiences and trying to make a name for themselves. When war broke out in February it put their plans on pause.

The troupe of actors took shelter in a basement theater in the capital for about a month to stay safe from bombings and attacks. They used the time to rehearse new shows and are now out of the basement, back performing again. 

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices