Former US Ambassador to Russya Speaks Out

       Mike McFaul, former US ambassador to Russya, was interviewed today on the radio. Among the many questions to which he responded, was the question:"What more could the United States government do to raise the cost of war  in Ukraine for the Russyan government? He had quite a list. He obviously knows the territory of not only the Kremlin and its occupants, but also the role of international banking and finance.

       As the war in Ukraine continues, the anniversary of Russya's invasion is a month away. The US announced that Russya would invade weeks before it happened. The decision had been made and Mad Vlad would not retreat from his decision. It became obvious that the Russyan army was not so well prepared to wage modern warfare. As the invasion forces drove south hoping to seize the capitol, Kyiv, they were stopped cold by Ukrainian army defensive moves. They soon were in retreat from their positions, going back across the border into Belarus. In the south, the invaders rolled west, hoping to secure the southern coast along the Black Sea. After initial success, the Russyan army stopped: logistical support was choked off by the Ukrainians. The Red Army had to retreat; they had to give ground; and they focused on destroying infrastructure targets rather than military targets.

      Ambassador McFaul listed banking sanctions first. In his opinion, the US had more room to tighten the restrictions on banking, especially with the national bank. Despite restrictions using the bank of settlements, more options exist to make it much more difficult to pay for imports needed. Secondly, the price of oil can also be a tool to tighten cash flow into Russya. He suggested that the payment limit could be lowered to $30/barrel from $60/barrel today. A third sanction should include members of the military and their family members.  Their ability to move freely around the world needs to be restricted completely.

     Mr. McFaul has written about his time in Russya and how he was hounded by the Kremlin and never formally greeted by Putin. Perhaps he "knew" too much, and Putin didn't like the idea of dealing with someone who knew more than he did. Mr.McFaul also is fluent in Russyan language. While out of the country, Mr. McFaul was declared Persona non Grata and refused entry back to the embassy in Moskva. Hardly a smooth diplomatic gesture. Mr. Mcfaul  is in residence now  at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California.

   The interview can be heard on NPR January 20, 2023.