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

Ukraine is not losing the war, but it cannot fight forever

Dec 29, 2025 The Observer

Putin’s plan for Ukrainian surrender does not serve American national interests

Nov 24, 2025 Kyiv Independent

The Case for Supporting Ukraine Is Crystal Clear

Nov 16, 2023 Foreign Policy

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

Nov 16, 2023 Washington Post

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

Jun 20, 2023 Washington Post

Russia's nonsense about an assassination attempt is a sign of its desperation

May 5, 2023 MSNBC Opinion

‘Realists’ have it wrong: Putin, not Zelensky, is the one who can end the war.

Aug 4, 2022 Washington Post

What Putin Fears Most

Apr 13, 2022 Journal of Democracy

Why the West must boost military assistance to Ukraine

Mar 16, 2022 Washington Post

Russia’s Road to Autocracy

Oct 13, 2021 Journal of Democracy