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

'..The time to gear up for this enormous mission is not after the war ends, but now..'

'The United States needs to take a more active part in this diplomatic game. An American special envoy should not only shadow Li’s steps in Europe to press U.S. positions, but also travel to countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East to explain why Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war is one of imperialism and colonialism and how it undermines the international system. Understanding the need to show more of a presence on this score, President Volodymyr Zelensky has been pressing the Ukrainian case any way he can — including with an unexpected visit to Saudi Arabia and a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Group of Seven summit in Japan. We should show comparable initiative.

Second, Biden should appoint a new ambassador or special coordinator for Ukraine’s reconstruction. Such an official could focus on efforts to transfer the seized assets of the Russian Central Bank to an international Ukrainian development fund. This envoy would also help to promote transparency, private-sector engagement and postwar democratic renewal. The job is too big and too political to be handled by existing U.S. agencies.

Third, Biden or Secretary of State Antony Blinken should appoint a de facto ambassador to the Russian diaspora. Our current efforts in assisting Russians who emigrated to avoid supporting Putin’s war are inadequate. We have a national security interest in giving these refugees reasons not to return home. Young men who leave Russia today are soldiers who will not be on the battlefield in Ukraine tomorrow. To that end, we should also be working to encourage more emigration.

..

Fourth and finally, Blinken must appoint a new high-profile sanctions coordinator now that James O’Brien — the current coordinator — is moving to another job. Right now, the United States and its allies should be expanding existing sanctions to support ongoing and future Ukrainian counteroffensives — so the sooner we can find a good replacement for O’Brien, the better. Such an envoy would also work on maintaining sanctions after the war until the Kremlin commits to paying reparations. It’s a big, hard job — and it must be filled right away.

While helping Ukrainian warriors win the war, the United States also needs to do more to help Kyiv win the peace. The time to gear up for this enormous mission is not after the war ends, but now.'

- The U.S. needs to launch a diplomatic surge on Ukraine, June 20, 2023



Context

June 24, 2023: The Russian Civil War has officially started

ICC .. arrest warrants against Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin and Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova

(The Elders) - Russia's war on Ukraine is a moral outrage