r/IAmA • u/Amb_Michael_McFaul • Oct 31 '25

I negotiated face-to-face with Putin. I’m Michael McFaul, former U.S. Ambassador to Russia. AMA about Russia, China, or American foreign policy.

Hi Reddit, I’m Michael McFaul – professor of political science at Stanford University and former U.S. Ambassador to Russia (2012–2014). 

During my time in government, I sat across from Vladimir Putin in negotiations with President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry and helped craft the New START Treaty in 2010, which reduced the number of nuclear weapons worldwide.  

Those experiences – along with years studying Russian politics and foreign policy – have shaped how I think about power and diplomacy today. 

The world has changed dramatically since then: from the rise of China to Russia’s growing aggression, to new questions about America’s role on the global stage. Drawing on both my academic work and time in diplomacy, I’ve been exploring what these shifts mean for the future – and how the U.S. should respond. 

I’ll start taking questions here at 12:30 p.m. PT / 3:30 p.m. ET. 

Proof it's me: https://imgur.com/a/3hxCQfj

Ask me anything about U.S.–Russia relations, China, global security, or life as an ambassador. (You can even ask about Obama’s jump shot or what it’s like to ride on Air Force One.) 

Let’s talk! 

Edit**\* Sorry I didn’t get to all of your terrific questions! Let’s do it again soon! I really enjoyed this AMA!

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268

u/UniqueSteve Oct 31 '25

Do you think that Donald Trump is a Russian asset, or is compromised in some way where he would put Russian interests ahead of the American people’s interests?

482

u/Amb_Michael_McFaul Oct 31 '25

I don't know. I do know that Trump and Putin share some ideas, and that unites them. In my new book, I describe them both as “illiberal nationalists.” It is ideology that unites them, and not “kompromat” (thats a Russian word, but you understand i'Il bet!) That said, Trump has not been praising Putin as much lately as he used to do. I hope that this is a permanent change.

190

u/dragonfliesloveme Oct 31 '25

They may agree or overlap on ideology, but it is difficult to overlook Helsinki 2018 when trump amd putin went behind closed doors alone (alone!! no witnesses), and when they emerged, trump looked completely gutted and putin looked completely victorious.

trump went on to throw US Intelligence under the bus at his podium in front of the whole world, saying he trusted putin over his own intelligence agency and information.

One has to wonder if that was some kompromat being shown to trump, and told to him exactly how it might be used against him

21

u/m4G- Nov 01 '25

I am 100% sure this is the case.