Opinion Pieces | MICHAEL McFAUL

On Substack

Feb 22, 2026

I was US ambassador to Russia. Trump’s recklessness is playing into Putin’s hands

After a year of talks, what is now clear is that President Donald Trump is not committed to negotiating a dignified peace. Instead, he wants an end to the war at whatever cost to Ukraine so that he can claim his coveted Nobel Peace Prize and get on with improving relations with his friend in Moscow.

The I Paper

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April 17, 2024

Goodbye to my fearless friend, Alexei Navalny

March 4, 2024

Michael McFaul on Russian presidential election and Alexei Navalny’s legacy

November 16, 2023

Should we seize Russian funds to pay for the war in Ukraine? Commentators weigh in.

June 20, 2023

The U.S. needs to launch a diplomatic surge on Ukraine

January 24, 2023

Are we seeing the beginning of the end of Putinism?

January 4, 2023

The world can’t allow the ex-president of Georgia to die in detention

With Yeltsin Gone, Putin Seems Destined to Be Next President

Jan 2, 2000 Los Angeles Times

Scoring Russia’s Duma Vote: State 2, Society 1

Jan 1, 2000 Parliamentary Elections Bulletin

Parliamentary Parties and Presidential Coalitions

Dec 1, 1999 Parliamentary Elections Bulletin

Russia’s Revolution Is Not Over

Sep 20, 1999 Christian Science Monitor

Russia’s Pyhrric ‘Pristina Victory'

Jun 17, 1999 The Wall Street Journal

With Foes Like Communists, How Can Yeltsin Ever Lose?

May 23, 1999 Los Angeles Times

Don’t Look to Russia for Help on Kosovo

Apr 8, 1999 The New York Times

NATO's collateral damage in Russia

Apr 5, 1999 Christian Science Monitor

Russia: Indispensable Thorn in U.S. Side

Apr 4, 1999 Los Angeles Times

Perils of Yeltsin's Passion

Apr 2, 1998 Moscow Times