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

Russia as It Is: A Grand Strategy for Confronting Putin

Aug 25, 2018 Foreign Affairs

Putin wanted to interrogate me. Trump called it ‘an incredible offer.’ Why?

Jul 27, 2018 Washington Post

The Trump-Putin summit in Helsinki was a historic event — in the worst possible way

Jul 17, 2018 Washington Post

I’ve been in meetings with Putin. Here’s what Trump can expect.

Jul 15, 2018 Washington Post

Why Trump’s personalized approach to diplomacy is bad for America

Jun 28, 2018 Washington Post

Why Trump’s plans for regime change in Iran will have the opposite effect

May 30, 2018 Washington Post

Putin needed an American enemy. He picked me.

May 11, 2018 Washington Post

The Cold War is Over, but There’s ‘Hot Peace’ between the U.S. and Russia

May 4, 2018 The Globe and Mail

Ukraine’s democracy is approaching ‘make or break’ — and the West is missing in action

May 1, 2018 Washington Post

The North Korea talks haven’t even started yet, and Trump is already in trouble

Mar 13, 2018 Washington Post