It's an unfortunate reality but its true: the primary obstacle in US politics today to supporting Ukraine comes from the Republican Party. It's been strange to see the party of Reagan hesitant to stand up to Russia and support a democratic ally in its quest for freedom.

Why is that?
And ultimately should the US support Ukraine?

To answer these questions, I had on the show Larry Provost, a conservative columnist, Republican, US veteran, Trump supporter AND major supporter of Ukraine.

Hear not only all the reasons why the US should support Ukraine, but also why he believes Trump, his administration, and much of the right in the US have been hesitant to support Ukraine to date. Listen in also to hear why Provost is optimistic that the Trump administration will be more supportive going forward.

Larry Provost is a conservative columnist and commentator based in Washington, D.C. A 26 year military Veteran who served in Afghanistan and Iraq, he is a graduate of the U.S. Naval War College, George Washington University, Liberty University and Regent University. His work has appeared in Townhall, Newsmax, The Daily Caller, The American Spectator and other Conservative publications.

You can find the article mentioned in the podcast that Provost wrote here: https://www.newsbreak.com/newsmax-325020896/4084331020836-why-u-s-helping-ukraine-defeat-russia-makes-fiscal-sense

To learn more, visit:

https://ubn.network/

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:

https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

Not many people know Canada has one of the largest Ukrainian populations abroad. And this fact has helped make Canada one of the most supportive countries of Ukraine in the Western world.

To understand the strong level of engagement Canada has here on the ground in Ukraine, I had the pleasure of having a very engaging discussion with Canadian Ambassador to Ukraine Natalka Cmoc, whose positivity and vibrance was thoroughly inspiring.

Ambassador Natalka Cmoc, Ambassador of Canada to Ukraine. Amb. Cmoc was appointed Canada’s Ambassador to Ukraine in August 2023. Earlier, she completed field research in Ukraine and Russia, including implementing Canadian technical assistance projects in Ukraine in the 1990s. She served as a counsellor for technical cooperation at the Embassy of Canada to Ukraine from 2011 to 2013, working on democracy and human rights programming. She then joined Global Affairs Canada’s Stabilization and Reconstruction Task Force, where she was responsible for establishing the first security programming in Ukraine following Russia’s 2014 invasion. In 2015, she moved to the Department of National Defence and, in 2020, she became director general in the Science and Parliamentary Infrastructure Branch at Public Services and Procurement Canada.

Amb. Cmoc covered loads of topics, from what it's like operating an embassy in Ukraine during the war, to various programs Canada is involved with beyond defense, to women entrepreneurship and women's critical role in the economy at this difficult time.

Here is a link to the fashion brand of Ukrainian clothing started by the Ukrainian woman entrepreneur mentioned in the podcast - https://www.instagram.com/svilamiya/

They ship abroad to please have a look!

To learn more, visit:

https://ubn.network/

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:

https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

In this episode, I had the great honor of interviewing 4-Star US General Philip Breedlove, former Supreme Allied Commander Europe of NATO.

General Philip Breedlove, a retired four-star general in the United States Air Force who served as the commander of U.S. European Command, as well as the 17th Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) of NATO Allied Command Operations, from May 2013 until May 4, 2016.

Listen in to hear his views on:
- Where the War in Ukraine is heading?
- What is the impact of the Israel-Iran War on Ukraine?
- What will be the US's policy towards Ukraine?
- Will Europe step up?
- Is NATO dead?
...and much more.

Spoiler alert - no, Russia isn't winning.

I had the pleasure of meeting Gen. Breedlove at the GLOBSEC conference in Prague a week prior to this interview at a side event dedicated to Ukraine's reconstruction. He was kind enough to join the show, being the massive supporter of Ukraine that he is.

To learn more, visit:

https://ubn.network/

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:

https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

There's alot of talk about Western military support to Ukraine, but what about Ukraine's own capabilities?

To discuss that, I had on the show Arsen Zhumadilov, the head of the Defense Procurement Agency. Arsen discussed some critical developments in Ukraine's ability to defend itself - with a particular focus on drones - while focusing on how the process works in terms of getting Ukrainian-produced military equipment from the producers to the appropriate brigade at the front.

We also talked about the latest procurement innovation in the DOT-Chain Defense, which serves almost as an Amazon marketplace for brigades seeking drones for the fight.

Arsen Zhumadilov, In March 2025, he was appointed Director of the Defense Procurement Agency, and on May 2, 2025, he was appointed Chairman of the Commission for the Reorganization of the State Logistics Operator.

Public administrator, Crimean Tatar public figure, senior lecturer at the Department of Political Science at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. He has extensive experience in building state institutions and reforming public procurement.

In April 2023, he headed the defense procurement reform team within the Office of Change Support at the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. From 2019 to 2023, he served as Director General of the State Enterprise Medical Procurement of Ukraine. From October 2023 to March 2024, he headed the State Enterprise “State Logistics Operator”.

Arsen has several higher education degrees. He graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv with a Master of Laws and a Master of Political Science. He holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration and Management from the London School of Economics (UK). He also holds an Executive MBA from Kyiv Mohyla Business School.

To learn more, visit:

https://ubn.network/

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:

https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

We've hit an inflection point in the so-called ceasefire talks: What will Trump do? "Walk away" as he has threatened, continue to provide some support to Ukraine, or even "arm Ukraine to the teeth" as he and others in his team have likewise threatened. Now that he has expressed some level of anger towards Putin just in the last few weeks, should we be more optimistic? Tune in to find out.

We will know soon enough, but I figured it was time to give an overview of where we are, what I expect to happen, and where the US, Europe, and Ukraine go from here.

Covered alot of ground in this week's podcast. Have a listen to understand where I believe these truly historic weeks will proceed.

To learn more, visit:

https://ubn.network/

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:

https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

This is Part 2 of my interview with Svit, where we dive into exactly what happened in Bucha and Irpin—and uncover the real story behind the Ghost of Kyiv.

If you haven’t already, make sure to listen to Part 1, where we explore the critical battles just north of Kyiv that helped save the city—and the country—during those pivotal early hours and days of the invasion.

You can find more information about the live tour here - https://capitaltourskiev.com/ or on IG here - https://www.instagram.com/capital_tours_kiev/

Please also consider contributing to Svit's close friends fighting at the front doing artillery reconnaissance. You can send via PayPal directly here - cawkoo@gmail.com. Their platoon was just awarded a medal from President Zelenskyi!

To learn more, visit:

https://ubn.network/

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:

https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

To learn more, visit:

https://ubn.network/

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:

https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

Hostomel, Moschun, Bucha, Irpin - these suburbs just a few kilometers northwest of Kyiv have become known around the world given what happened there in the first month of the war. From the heroic battles defending Kyiv from the Russian invaders to the unspeakable war crimes the Russians committed, hear it all from a man dedicating his life to informing the world of these victories and atrocities, and in doing so winning this information war against Russian propaganda.

I had the pleasure of joining Svit's tour and would highly recommend to anyone in or visiting Kyiv to truly understand what happened at the outset of the war, the atrocities committed, and what Russia is capable of.

Please listen to Part 1 of my interview with Svit, where we cover the critical battles just north of Kyiv that saved the city and the country in those pivotal hours and days at the start of the invasion.

Tune in next week for Part 2 of the interview where we dive into exactly what happened at Bucha and Irpin, and also discuss who the Ghost of Kyiv really was.

You can find more information about the live tour here - https://capitaltourskiev.com/ or on IG here - https://www.instagram.com/capital_tours_kiev/

Please also consider contributing to Svit's close friends fighting at the front doing artillery reconnaissance. You can send via PayPal directly here - cawkoo@gmail.com. Their platoon was just awarded a medal from President Zelenskyi!

To learn more, visit:

https://ubn.network/

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:

https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

From Bucha to the Hague - hear the inspiring story of Yana Rudenko, a survivor of the Russian occupation in Bucha in February/March 2022, who then fled Ukraine and settled in The Hague, Netherlands. Understand what it's like to live under Russian occupation, no contact with the outside world, no internet or phone connection, no power, 24-hour martial law and the constant uncertainty over your personal future.

Hear her story of resilience and dedication to remember what Ukraine is fighting for.

Yana Rudenko resides in The Netherlands where she is a co-founder of the DroneAid Collective, an initiative based that engages displaced Ukrainians and rehabilitating veterans in building drones for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

To learn more, visit:

https://ubn.network/

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:

https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/