The Highland Meeting in Utah on November 16, 2023, featured a detailed discussion led by David Pyne, focusing on the geopolitical tensions surrounding Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. The meeting aimed to analyze the historical context and current implications of these conflicts, particularly in relation to U.S. foreign policy.

Pyne began by outlining the historical aspirations of Russian leaders to join NATO, noting that Gorbachev, Yeltsin, and Putin all expressed interest in NATO membership during their respective tenures. He emphasized that Putin initially adopted a pro-Western stance, engaging in a "convergent strategy" aimed at merging Russia with Western economies and security frameworks. However, Pyne argued that U.S. actions, particularly the NATO expansion into Eastern Europe and military interventions, provoked a sense of insecurity in Russia, leading to aggressive responses.

The discussion highlighted key events, such as the Kosovo War and NATO's subsequent actions, which Pyne claimed marked a turning point in U.S.-Russia relations. He pointed to the 2008 Bucharest Declaration, which formalized NATO's intentions to include Ukraine and Georgia, as a significant escalation that contributed to Russia's military actions in Georgia and later Ukraine.

Pyne also addressed the 2014 CIA-backed coup in Ukraine, which he argued further escalated tensions and led to Russia's annexation of Crimea. He noted that the Minsk Peace Accords were an attempt to stabilize the situation by recognizing the rights of Russian-speaking populations in Ukraine, but these efforts were undermined by subsequent Ukrainian policies.

The conversation shifted to recent developments, including Ukrainian President Zelenskyy's declaration in March 2021 to reclaim Crimea by force, which Pyne linked to increased Russian military mobilization. He criticized the Biden administration for rejecting a proposed mutual security pact from Russia, suggesting that this decision contributed to the current conflict, which he referred to as "Biden's war."

Pyne warned of the heightened risk of nuclear escalation, citing intelligence assessments that indicated a 50% chance of nuclear conflict during the ongoing war. He expressed concern that U.S. support for Ukraine could inadvertently lead to a broader confrontation.

In concluding remarks, Pyne presented a peace plan he had previously proposed, which he claimed could have allowed Ukraine to regain most of its lost territory, excluding Crimea. However, he noted that this plan was dismissed as insufficiently supportive of Ukrainian interests.

Overall, the meeting underscored the complexities of the current geopolitical landscape, with Pyne advocating for a reevaluation of U.S. strategies in light of historical precedents and the potential for future conflict. The discussions raised critical questions about the implications of U.S. foreign policy decisions on global stability, particularly regarding Russia's actions in Ukraine and the broader implications for international relations.