Greetings all. A few days ago I learned that our friend Senator Ruben Gallego is heading to Ukraine later this month to deliver an important address at a security gathering in Odesa and spend time with the Ukrainian war effort. As this community knows I think prominent American leaders showing the flag in Europe and Ukraine is critically important now. So I asked the Senator to come by and give us his thinking about Ukraine, NATO, and Putin’s failed war. A recording and rough transcript of our conversation from this morning can be found above.
From our conversation:
Look, I think what we're seeing right now is the potential for a world power such as Russia to lose a war, which could absolutely reset our whole understanding of our international security, and specifically when it comes to European security.
And you've had a country [Ukraine] with the help of allies, not so much us lately, unfortunately, that has really changed how war is conducted, and we're going to be a net beneficiary of that… learning from mistakes, the experiments they’ve had to endure, potentially not having have to put our own men and women at risk. We'll also a net benefit because if Russia's capability to be even a regional threat in Europe is destroyed, that allows us to really focus our efforts where we have to be… the Indo-Pacific Command region, China.
From our conversation:
But if we don't do this right, we could do some really long-lasting damage to the US reputation and our security alliances all around the world. If we're seen to be abandoning Ukraine now — especially at a moment when Ukraine is taking the initiative, scoring major victories on the ground, and actually regaining land — and we pull back or somehow support Russia in any capacity, the people who have been with us for so long will start looking for other friends. We really need to push the initiative now, help Ukraine end this war on their terms.
We also discussed Trump’s failed war in Iran and caught up on Arizona politics. As a reminder this community was Senator Gallego’s largest fundraiser in his successful 2024 Senate campaign, raising more than $700,000 (amazing!!!!). While Harris lost Arizona by 5.5% then Congressman Gallego won it by 2.5% - no easy feat. There is so much in play in Arizona this year - retaining Governor Hobbs, AG Mayes and other statewide elected Dems, and winning a few more statewide officers we do not yet hold; a chance to turn both legislative chambers blue for the first time since the 1966; and pick up opportunities in 3 US House districts - AZ-01 (primary), AZ-02 (Nez), and AZ-06 (Mendoza). The Senator tells us that the state has swung dramatically towards the Dems this cycle, and we have a real opportunity to flips seats and make gains.
Both Mendoza and Nez are among our initial twelve candidates in our Winning the House campaign:
Jo Mendoza (AZ-6) - Donate | Watch our first interview (November 2025) and recent update (March 2026) with Jo Mendoza | Learn More | Volunteer
Jonathan Nez (AZ-2) - Donate | Watch our interview with President Nez | Learn More | Volunteer
Enjoy this timely and informative discussion with one of Hopium’s good friends, and keep working hard all. We have a country to save, and elections to win, together! - Simon
