A top US diplomat told CNN that despite the difficulties expected in the coming months – from a global cost-of-living crisis to energy shortages during a brutal European winter – it is their view that the Western alliance will remain united in its support in Ukraine. Speaking to CNN from NATO headquarters in Brussels, Julianne Smith, the US ambassador to NATO, said she remains optimistic that the West will continue to support Ukraine in the way it has since the conflict began. “It speaks to the strength of the alliance. It could lead to some difficult discussions and debates, but based on our experience, I know we will get through this,” he said, adding that it would not “lead us into discord.” In her comments, which came in the week that marks six months since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his forces to invade Ukraine on February 24, Smith also directly countered Russian claims that the US and NATO are directly involved in conflict. Regarding any future NATO involvement in the conflict, Smith repeated the statement that “neither the United States nor NATO is a party to the conflict at all,” emphasizing that NATO’s only involvement was “non-lethal.” Smith admitted that there are “corners of the globe where the Russian narrative seems to be passing” and the alignment “will be an ongoing challenge for the alliance to continue to state the truth.” The US and NATO have provided weapons and intelligence to Ukraine. in early August, Russia accused Washington of direct involvement in the war. Misinformation and competing narratives have been a feature of this conflict since day one. More recently, Moscow has blamed Ukrainian special services for the murder of Daria Dugin, a Russian political commentator and daughter of prominent ultranationalist ideologue Alexander Dugin. Ukraine has denied any involvement in Dugina’s murder, describing the Russian claims as imaginary. Before her death, Dugina was the editor of a Russian disinformation website.
