Kenneth Wollack on Ukraine, American Leadership, and the Global Stakes for Democracy
JUDJ-Prepared Summary from October 21, 2026 | Why Do Democracies Backslide and Is There a Way Back? Lessons From the Front Lines of the Global Struggle for Democracy. The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of the speaker.
In a recent America at a Crossroads discussion, Kenneth Wollack, former president of the National Democratic Institute and an internationally recognized expert on democracy development, explored Ukraine’s struggle against Russian aggression and the broader challenges facing democratic nations worldwide. Drawing on his recent visit to Ukraine and decades of international experience, Wollack explained why the country’s future carries profound consequences for European security, American leadership, and the global democratic order.
Ukraine's Remarkable Democratic Resilience
Having visited Ukraine numerous times, including during the Orange Revolution and Revolution of Dignity, Wollack described his most recent trip as both inspiring and heartbreaking.
Years of war have exhausted the Ukrainian population, yet the country’s determination to defend its sovereignty remains extraordinary.
Wollack emphasized that Ukraine’s defense extends far beyond the battlefield. Civil society organizations, political activists, and community leaders are assisting wounded soldiers, documenting alleged Russian war crimes, providing humanitarian support, and protecting democratic institutions.
Even under martial law, Ukrainian organizations continue pressing for accountability and combating corruption, recognizing that maintaining democratic institutions will be essential to the country’s eventual recovery.
The Challenge of Democracy During Wartime
Wollack also addressed the extraordinary difficulties of conducting democratic elections during an ongoing war.
Millions of Ukrainians have been displaced internally, millions more are living abroad, and millions remain under Russian occupation. Establishing safe polling locations and ensuring meaningful participation would present enormous logistical challenges.
According to Wollack, Ukrainian leaders anticipate holding elections following a ceasefire, but organizing a credible election could require at least six months.
The challenge illustrates a central dilemma: Ukraine must defend its democratic future while simultaneously confronting circumstances that make normal democratic processes extraordinarily difficult.
Why Ukraine's Future Matters Globally
For Wollack, the consequences of the war extend well beyond Ukraine’s borders.
He warned that a perceived Russian victory could embolden other authoritarian governments to challenge international borders and disregard national sovereignty.
China’s calculations regarding Taiwan, he suggested, could be influenced by how the international community responds to Russia’s aggression.
Wollack also stressed that territorial concessions involve more than geography. Millions of Ukrainians live in Russian-occupied areas, making any potential settlement a question of human rights and political freedom as well as national boundaries.
America's Continuing Role in Defending Democracy
Despite growing political polarization at home, Wollack argued that the United States remains an important source of hope for democratic movements abroad.
He pointed to America’s longstanding support for democracy assistance organizations and bipartisan congressional backing for international democratic development.
While acknowledging inconsistencies in American foreign policy, Wollack maintained that supporting democratic institutions ultimately advances U.S. security interests.
An Optimistic Vision for Democracy
Wollack concluded by describing his four decades of democracy-building work as being in the “optimism business.”
His experiences have convinced him that people around the world remain willing to make extraordinary sacrifices for freedom.
For Ukraine and other nations confronting authoritarianism, that determination offers hope that democratic aspirations can endure even under the most difficult circumstances.
About America at a Crossroads
Since April 2020, America at a Crossroads has produced weekly virtual programs on topics related to the preservation of our democracy, voting rights, freedom of the press, and a wide array of civil rights, including abortion rights, free speech, and free press. America at a Crossroads is a project of Jews United for Democracy & Justice.