Ray McGovern

How to account for the thinking of U.S. official and media hawks who apparently believe Russian President Vladimir Putin can be mousetrapped, or shamed, into invading Ukraine? Part of it seems to be mirror imaging. The so-called "Blob" that runs US foreign policy recalls George W. Bush and Barack Obama sending tens of thousands of … Continue reading “Putin Is Not Stupid and That’s Good”

The leaked text (to Spain’s El Pais) of Washington’s response to Russia’s December security proposals augurs well for an eventual peaceful denouement on Ukraine. The U.S. response may still seem to be only half a loaf, but includes an appetizing sweetener – verification. Washington’s "non-paper" response directly addresses Putin’s chief concern. (Spoiler for any new … Continue reading “US Makes Putin Offer He Can Hardly Refuse”

Fourteen years ago today, when then-ambassador to Russia William Burns, in an IMMEDIATE cable titled "Nyet Means Nyet: Russia’s NATO Enlargement Redlines," reported Moscow’s warning that NATO membership for Ukraine would cross a red line, the Russians could do little more than grouse. Enter from left stage Chinese President Xi Jinping last year with the … Continue reading “China Gives Oomph to Russia’s ‘Nyet’ on NATO”

The eagerly awaited "written response" from the U.S. and NATO to Russia’s security proposals is now in the hands of President Vladimir Putin. And yet there is no sign the West caved in on Moscow’s insistence that NATO rescind its 14 year-old invitation to Ukraine to join NATO. Those who expected the Russians to react … Continue reading “Will Putin Accept Half a Loaf?”

Was Monday’s hyperactivity mostly theater? The Pentagon raised the alert status of 8,500 troops reportedly to bolster NATO’s Quick Response Force, while emphasizing that no final decision had been made to deploy them. And NATO announced that some members were sending ships and fighter jets to Eastern Europe to reassure allies in the region. Adding … Continue reading “Are Neocons Worried at Pace of US-Russia Talks?”

"Foiled again!" rose the cry Friday from those expecting Russian President Vladimir Putin to step out of character and risk war, just as he finally succeeds in getting the U.S. to take Russia’s security concerns seriously – and even address them. Russia’s continued troop reinforcements near Ukraine do not mean, ipso facto, that Russia intends … Continue reading “Godot Likely To Arrive Before Russia Invades Ukraine”

Whoa! Could this mean that reports of the death of U.S.-Russia security talks are greatly exaggerated? What about the impasse, the deadlock? Might it mean no Russian invasion of Ukraine – at least not yet? Actually, figuring out what the planned bilateral talks Friday in Geneva mean requires no PhD in political science. Nevertheless, the … Continue reading “Breathe Easier: Blinken, Lavrov Meet Friday”

Western media are painting an image of gross failure for Russia at the U.S.-Russia bilateral talks in Geneva, as well as subsequent talks between Russia and NATO in Brussels and the Organization for Co-operation and Security in Europe (OSCE) in Vienna. Adamant! is the impression being fostered by both Russia and the West (largely for … Continue reading “Peeking Past the Pall Put Over Arms Talks With Russia”

"Impasse, Deadlock" says The Washington Post describing the outcome of the high-level U.S.-Russia talks Monday, with a tone of self-congratulation (we told you so), tinged with wishful thinking. Yes, wishful thinking. Given the very high stakes, the media is a huge part of the problem, since they keep millions in the dark about the real … Continue reading “US-Russia Talk About Where Not To Place Missiles”

Take heart, most of you who fear war rather than profit from it. You would not know it amid the gloom and doom about "another Russian invasion" of Ukraine, but diplomacy – not war – is about to break out this month. As senior U.S. and Russian negotiators begin talks early next week in Geneva, … Continue reading “Putin’s Quid: No Offensive Missiles in ‘ABM’ Sites”