How are decisions made in the White House? The same way as in all developed democratic systems. First, scenarios and positions are developed (formed by various people, think tanks, and influence groups along the chain). These scenarios and positions are then conveyed to the relevant people responsible for the direction. Eventually, they reach the top officials who interpret this data to make decisions.

Throughout this process, interested parties exert influence – directly, through expert communities, and through media. The natural bureaucratic and political process is added on top. Every change in external circumstances can alter the decision. Therefore, making complex and risky decisions usually happens very cautiously, conservatively, and slowly. Wherever there's a desire for very quick decisions because it's URGENT, it leads to the erosion of institutions and dictatorship.

Most basic decisions regarding our [Ukraine's] war – initial sanctions, blocking air traffic with Russia, programs for Ukrainian refugees, first decisions on heavy weapons, HIMARS – were made extremely quickly for European and American systems. The more complex and risky the decisions, the longer the decision-making lag, the more different groups of influence that need to be taken into account, and the higher the political and historical responsibility.

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