In this week’s episode of Daniel Davis Deep Dive, I sat down with former British diplomat Ian Proud to examine one of the most pressing—and least discussed—realities of the war in Ukraine.
In the clip I’m sharing with you today, Ian delivers a blunt assessment:
“Ukraine is becoming a failed state—and Europe is paying for the privilege.”
He explains how Western governments are not only funding Ukraine’s war effort at a cost of $50 billion annually, but also covering an additional $30 billion each year to prop up its collapsing economy. With exports drying up, deficits ballooning, and even Poland refusing Ukrainian grain, Proud argues that Europe is effectively bankrolling state failure.
This is just one part of our wider conversation, where we also explore:
Why Zelensky is pushing for Tomahawk missiles despite the risks of escalation.
How Moscow interprets these moves—and what retaliation could look like.
Why Ukraine’s offensive capacity has collapsed since 2023, leaving only high-risk gambits on the table.
How Putin is betting on a slow, grinding war to bleed Western resolve.
The stakes could not be higher. As Proud warns, reckless escalation risks dragging NATO deeper into a conflict that Europe is already struggling to sustain financially and politically.
