Amb. Michael McFaul: "There's Now Momentum on the Side of the Ukrainians"

Former U.S. Ambassador to Russia, Michael McFaul, joins Andrea Mitchell to discuss Speaker Pelosi's meeting with President Zelenskyy, Dr. Jill Biden's Mother's Day trip to Romania and Slovakia, recent comments by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, and the overall positive momentum 'on the side of the Ukrainians' that's happening right now.

'I Did Not Expect Putin to Be as Evil as He Has Been' Says McFaul

Apr 19, 2022 • Former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul reacts to Vladimir Putin honoring the military unit accused of committing the Bucha atrocities, and Russia stepping up their attacks in eastern Ukraine.

Why Do Trump and Putin Get Along So Well? | Michael McFaul | TEDxStanford | 2017

Jun 2, 2017 • During his tenure as U.S. Ambassador to Russia under President Obama, Stanford Political Science Professor Michael McFaul lived with death threats against him and his family. Since returning to the U.S., McFaul has been banned from returning to Russia, but at home he is one of the most sought-after observers of what he calls the Trump-Putin “Bromance.” His take on Russia today is both insightful and troubling. But as he says, “Diplomacy is not a popularity contest.”

Michael McFaul is Professor of Political Science, Director and Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, and the Peter and Helen Bing Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution. Dr. McFaul served for five years in the Obama administration, first as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Russian and Eurasian Affairs at the National Security Council at the White House (2009-2012), and then as U.S. Ambassador to the Russian Federation (2012-2014). He has authored several books, including Advancing Democracy Abroad: Why We Should, How We Can and, with Kathryn Stoner, Transition.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community.

Former Ambassador to Russia: Putin ‘Very Upset’ about Ukraine War Failures

Apr 2, 2022 • Amb. Michael McFaul tells MSNBC’s Jonathan Capehart that he thinks it’s “highly unlikely” that Vladimir Putin would want to expand this war in response to potentially the first Ukrainian attack on Russian soil, adding the U.S. should keep sending weapons to Ukraine despite fears Putin might escalate the war: “The only way there will be peace in Ukraine is if there is a military stalemate.”

Why Do Trump and Putin Get Along So Well? | Michael McFaul | TEDxStanford | 2017

Jun 2, 2017 • During his tenure as U.S. Ambassador to Russia under President Obama, Stanford Political Science Professor Michael McFaul lived with death threats against him and his family. Since returning to the U.S., McFaul has been banned from returning to Russia, but at home he is one of the most sought-after observers of what he calls the Trump-Putin “Bromance.” His take on Russia today is both insightful and troubling. But as he says, “Diplomacy is not a popularity contest.”

Michael McFaul is Professor of Political Science, Director and Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, and the Peter and Helen Bing Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution. Dr. McFaul served for five years in the Obama administration, first as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Russian and Eurasian Affairs at the National Security Council at the White House (2009-2012), and then as U.S. Ambassador to the Russian Federation (2012-2014). He has authored several books, including Advancing Democracy Abroad: Why We Should, How We Can and, with Kathryn Stoner, Transition.


The Americans’ ‘love affair’ with Donald Trump is totally and utterly incomprehensible to me and to most people I know. I am not alone! That there is even a possibility of Trump being re-elected as US president appals me. – © Mark

Ambassador Michael McFaul Says His Concerns about Russia Aren't Over | Morning Joe | MSNBC

Amb. Michael McFaul met on Tuesday with President Trump’s top Russia advisor a week after the WH stated Trump was considering Vladimir Putin’s call to interrogate U.S. officials. Amb. McFaul joins Morning Joe to discuss his visit.

Michael McFaul Reacts: I Hope My President Will Swat This Back | Morning Joe | MSNBC

The White House is entertaining Vladimir Putin's proposal to allow the special counsel to interview the Russians indicted in exchange for Russia gaining access to several American officials, including Amb. Michael McFaul. Amb. McFaul reacts.

'Absolutely Disgusting': Russia Seeks to Question US Officials | Morning Joe | MSNBC

Will the WH allow Russian prosecutors to question some of Vladimir Putin’s biggest critics here within the United States, including Amb. Michael McFaul? The panel discusses.