This text is a transcript of a Soho Forum debate between Scott Horton and Eli Lake. The debate centers on the resolution: “The United States started the new cold war with Russia and provoked Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.” Horton argues in the affirmative, asserting that NATO expansion and US interventionist policies in Ukraine led to the conflict. Lake counters in the negative, maintaining that Putin’s imperial ambitions and disregard for Ukrainian sovereignty are the primary drivers of the war. The transcript includes opening statements, rebuttals, and a Q&A session, reflecting a spirited discussion with differing interpretations of historical events and motivations. Ultimately, the debate concludes with a vote where the audience shifts slightly towards the negative, indicating a nuanced perspective on the complex relationship between the US, Russia, and Ukraine.
