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Articles by John E. Herbst
Report launch: How Russia targets its messaging in the Global South
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 challenged much of the common Western understanding of Russia. How can the world better understand Russia? What are the steps forward for Western policy? The Eurasia Center’s “Russia Tomorrow” series seeks to reevaluate conceptions of Russia today and better prepare for its future tomorrow.
Ukraine’s humanitarian crisis under Russia’s summer bombardment
On Wednesday, August 19 at 9:00 a.m. ET, the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center will host a discussion on Russia’s summer strike campaign against Ukraine’s cities and how the country’s pressing humanitarian needs are evolving. The United Nations has reported that July 2026 marked the deadliest month for Ukrainian civilians since the first months of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
How Ukraine’s deep-strike campaign is causing cracks in the Kremlin
On Wednesday, July 22 at 10:00 a.m. ET, the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center will host a discussion on the mounting problems facing Russia as Ukraine’s deep-strike campaign brings the war home to Moscow. President Vladimir Putin is arguably at his most vulnerable point since the start of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine.
Is Russia losing the war?
On Thursday, June 18 at 12:00 p.m. ET, the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center will host a virtual expert discussion on the mounting difficulties facing President Vladimir Putin and the Russian war on Ukraine. For more than four years, the Kremlin has claimed that Russia’s victory against Ukraine is inevitable, however the battlefield tells a different story.
Putin’s Stalemate, Trump’s Moment Russia’s grinding war and crumbling economy have turned a failed charm offensive into a narrow — and urgent — window for decisive U.S. pressure. Original
It is now 15 months since President Trump began his vigorous personal diplomacy to end the Russia-Ukraine war. Yet, we are nowhere near an end to Russia’s war of aggression. The tools that President Trump has used — his personal relationship with Vladimir Putin, coupled with the promise of economic and investment incentives for the Russian economy — have been met by stolid resistance.
How to lose friends and alienate allies: Russia’s foreign policy losing streak
On Thursday, January 15 at 10:00 a.m. ET, the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center will host a discussion examining Russia’s partnerships in Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East. Moscow lost an important regional ally in Latin America after a US military operation removed Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro from power.
Unpacking the peace talks to end Russian aggression in Ukraine
On Tuesday, November 25 at 11:00 a.m. ET, the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center will host a discussion examining the latest diplomacy surrounding the war in Ukraine and the recent US-Russia twenty-eight-point peace plan. Last week’s surprising leak of a draft peace plan negotiated between the United States and Russia jump-started previously stalled negotiations on a peace settlement.
The Hard Part for Moldova Comes Next
The recent election in Moldova may prove to be a historic event. The reformist Party of Action (PAS), led by President Maia Sandu, has consolidated its power as it readies the country for E.U. membership. Although Moldova is home to just 2.4 million people, the vote is a clear blow to Russian designs in this small but strategic country. The Kremlin’s influence has been considerable in Moldova.
The Hard Part for Moldova Comes Next
Moldovan President Maia Sandu inside the Presidential Palace following the parliamentary election, in Chisinau, Moldova, on Sept. 29, 2025. Credit - Artur Widak—NurPhoto via Getty Images The recent election in Moldova may prove to be a historic event. The reformist Party of Action (PAS), led by President Maia Sandu, has consolidated its power as it readies the country for E.U. membership.
Trump’s Summit With Putin Need Not Be an Echo of Appeasement Original
President Donald Trump’s unprecedented summit with Vladimir Putin in Alaska has failed to deliver the breakthrough on securing a ceasefire in Ukraine that he was hoping for. But Trump proved to be more cautious than many diplomats thought, moving in consultation with European allies and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky—and the failure of the Alaska Summit need not be an unvarnished disaster nor an echo of Neville Chamberlain’s 1938 appeasement at Munich.
Putin May Be Miscalculating Trump’s Resolve on Ukraine
Putin May Be Miscalculating Trump’s Resolve on Ukraine Forty minutes. That’s how long talks between Ukraine and Russia lasted on July 23 in Istanbul.
Putin May Be Miscalculating Trump’s Resolve on Ukraine
Forty minutes. That’s how long talks between Ukraine and Russia lasted on July 23 in Istanbul. This was enough time to announce a prisoner exchange, but nothing more. There was no progress on achieving a stable cease-fire, and both negotiating teams realized quickly that there was no reason to prolong the talks. This outcome was no surprise. Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, said before the talks that the two sides remained far apart.
UkraineAlert
Ukraine rocked by first wartime protests amid attacks on anti-corruption agencies By Andrew D’Anieri Russia is extinguishing all traces of Ukrainian identity in occupied Ukraine By Kateryna Odarchenko Ukraine’s women are playing a key role in the fight against Russia By Adrienne Ross US and EU must react to escalating global energy crisis By Anders Åslund Why Ukraine must join NATO By Adrian Hoefer Is Putin’s next big chance to take Ukraine now?
Drones, defense, and diplomacy: Negotiations and the battlefield in Ukraine
On Tuesday, June 17 at 1:00 p.m. ET, the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center will host a discussion examining the latest battlefield and diplomatic developments in Ukraine. The successful Ukrainian drone strike, Operation Spiderweb, on Russian bombers and intelligence aircraft stunned the world and once again showcased Ukraine’s advancing battlefield capabilities while casting greater doubt on Russia’s ability to achieve victory in the war.
Ukraine’s Daring Drone Attack Gives Trump Leverage Against Putin
KYIV—It was a surprising and devastating attack that some hysterical Russian war bloggers are calling the country’s Pearl Harbor. But the assault on Pearl Harbor occurred when there was no war between Japan and the United States.
Europe & Eurasia
New Atlanticist Mar 17, 2025 Enough carrots for Putin. For better negotiations, serve ‘maximum pressure’ instead. By Benjamin L. Schmitt, Richard L. Morningstar, and Daniel Fried Since Russia appears content for negotiations to move slowly, the Trump administration should turn up the pressure with new sanctions.
Screening of "Intercepted"
On Friday, January 31 at 3:00 p.m. ET, the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center and Grasshopper Film co-host a film screening of Intercepted, a documentary contrasting images of the damage caused by the Russian military in Ukraine with intercepted phone calls between Russian soldiers and their families. Russia’s war against Ukraine has been defined by an unprecedented scale of war crimes and injustices.
Syria Could Be the Beginning of the End of Russia’s Ambitions
Ideas By Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, John Herbst, Robert Hormats and Stephen Henriques December 10, 2024 11:48 AM EST Sonnenfeld is the Lester Crown Professor of Leadership Practice and President of the Yale Chief Executive Leadership Institute.
Closing the gap between Mars and Venus on trade
Economy & Business European Union Macroeconomics Trade United States and Canada Closing the gap between Mars and Venus on trade This essay is part of the report “Transatlantic horizons: A collaborative US-EU policy agenda for 2025 and beyond,” which outlines an agenda for common action for the next US administration and European Commission. In early 2025, a new US administration and European Commission will be in place.
Foreword: A new agenda for the next four years of US-EU relations
Foreword: A new agenda for the next four years of US-EU relations This essay is part of the report “Transatlantic horizons: A collaborative US-EU policy agenda for 2025 and beyond,” which outlines an agenda for common action for the next US administration and European Commission. “Americans were the best Europeans,” quipped German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer to Secretary of State Dean Acheson in 1949.
Bridging US-EU interests and action for the Indo-Pacific and China
China European Union Indo-Pacific Politics & Diplomacy United States and Canada Bridging US-EU interests and action for the Indo-Pacific and China This essay is part of the report “Transatlantic horizons: A collaborative US-EU policy agenda for 2025 and beyond,” which outlines an agenda for common action for the next US administration and European Commission. Europe and the United States need greater clarity in defining their common interests and policies on China.
Treating the green transition like the geopolitical imperative it is
Energy & Environment European Union Geopolitics & Energy Security Renewables & Advanced Energy United States and Canada Treating the green transition like the geopolitical imperative it is This essay is part of the report “Transatlantic horizons: A collaborative US-EU policy agenda for 2025 and beyond,” which outlines an agenda for common action for the next US administration and European Commission.
Unleashing US-EU defense cooperation
Defense Industry Defense Policy European Union NATO United States and Canada Unleashing US-EU defense cooperation This essay is part of the report “Transatlantic horizons: A collaborative US-EU policy agenda for 2025 and beyond,” which outlines an agenda for common action for the next US administration and European Commission.
Don't Let Germany Go Back to Its Old Russia Tricks
Argument An expert's point of view on a current event. Former German Chancellor and Nord Stream 2 board chairman Gerhard Schröder greets Russian President Vladimir Putin before a soccer game at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on June 14, 2018.
Ukraine’s Opportunity at the NATO Summit
NATO Russia Europe Ukraine Ukraine should be front and center this week when the Biden administration hosts the NATO summit in Washington. This is no time, into the third year of this terrible war, for obfuscation—either out of fear that Russian President Vladimir Putin might escalate into use of nuclear weapons (highly unlikely) or of the unknown if Russia were to suffer defeat in Ukraine (beyond our control).
Reconstructing Ukraine at war: The journey to prosperity starts now - Ukraine
Attachments Download Report (PDF | 3.13 MB) By John E.
It's Time to Direct Russia's Frozen Assets to Ukraine Original
Ideas By Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, John E. Herbst and William B. Taylor May 21, 2024 6:02 AM EDT Jeffrey Sonnenfeld is Lester Crown Professor of Leadership Practice and a Senior Associate Dean of the Yale School of Management. He helped catalyze the retreat of 1,200 global corporations from Russia. John E. Herbst was U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan from 2000 to 2003 and U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine from September 2003 to May 2006. William B.
A bold policy to protect the US by helping Ukraine stop Russian aggression
Conflict Defense Policy Europe & Eurasia Missile Defense Ukraine A bold policy to protect the US by helping Ukraine stop Russian aggression Ambassador John Herbst, senior director of the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center, testifies before the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe Hearing on “Closing the skies, liberating Ukraine.” Video from the hearings and other testimonies can be found below. Below is the oral argument presented by Ambassador John Herbst.
Ukraine’s Belarusian volunteers create headaches for Putin ally Lukashenka
In late March, Ukrainian MP Ihor Guz unfurled the flag of the Belarusian Kalinouski Regiment in the Ukrainian Parliament and paid tribute to the Belarusian volunteers helping to defend Ukraine against Russia’s invasion. This gesture was a reminder that Belarusians currently make up one of the largest contingents of foreign nationals fighting for Ukraine. Their growing presence is helping to shape the battlefield in Ukraine and has broader implications for regional security.
Ukraine’s allies divided over drone campaign targeting Russian refineries
Ukraine carried out one of the longest range drone strikes of the war so far on April 2, hitting an oil refinery in Russia’s Tatarstan region approximately 1300 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. The attack was the latest in an expanding campaign of drone strikes that have inflicted significant damage on Russia’s oil and gas industry, while also revealing divisions among Ukraine’s international partners.
Putin is weaponizing corruption to weaken Europe from within
Corruption has long been a favorite weapon in Vladimir Putin’s arsenal. He used it extensively against Ukraine over a number of years to help prepare the ground for the full-scale invasion of February 2022. The Russian leader now appears to be employing the same weaponized corruption tactics honed earlier in Ukraine to undermine Europe and weaken the continent’s democratic institutions from within.
Russia’s new air offensive leaves Ukraine facing humanitarian disaster
In recent weeks, Russia has launched the largest bombing campaign of the war with a series of major overnight attacks targeting Ukraine’s civilian energy infrastructure. This has resulted in comprehensive damage to the Ukrainian power grid and plunged millions into darkness. Unless Ukraine urgently receives additional air defense systems and ammunition from its Western partners, large parts of the country may soon be on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe.
Ukraine urgently needs air defenses as Russia decimates power grid
A series of Russian drone and missile attacks beginning March 22 has destroyed much of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. The damage, which will cost billions of dollars and many months to repair, has crippled Ukraine’s ability to light and heat itself for the medium term and marks a major escalation in Russia’s ongoing invasion. The latest wave of Russian airstrikes has been notable for its breadth.
Putin adds Islamist terror to the list of absurd excuses for Ukraine invasion
Over the past week, representatives of the Islamic State have gone to considerable lengths to confirm they were behind the March 22 attack on a Moscow concert hall that left more than 140 people dead. In the immediate aftermath of the killings, the radical Islamist group issued a series of statements claiming responsibility. They then went even further, circulating visual proof including graphic bodycam video footage filmed by one of the assailants.
Is the US Congress finally poised to pass Ukraine aid?
The end of March will mark eight months since United States President Joe Biden first requested supplemental aid to resupply Ukraine’s armed forces and help the country prepare for coming Russian offensives. With Congress beginning yet another recess, there may finally be an end in sight to the partisan logjam, but the shape that Ukraine aid ultimately takes and the path to getting a bill to Biden’s desk for his signature remain unclear.
Ukraine paves way for green energy future amid Russia’s escalating attacks
In a week when Russia launched some of its most extensive drone and missile attacks against Ukraine’s civilian electricity infrastructure since the start of war, Ukrainian MPs passed a law that could help define the country’s future as one of the biggest suppliers of green energy to Europe. In an historic vote, the Ukrainian parliament lifted restrictions on the export of biomethane, paving the way for a major expansion of Ukraine’s green gas production.
Congress must act to stop Kremlin aggression-for the sake of US interests
Conflict Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy Security & Defense United States and Canada Congress must act to stop Kremlin aggression—for the sake of US interests Are we at the end of an eighty-year period of US global leadership?
Will Zelenskyy's Washington visit help deliver ATACMS for Ukraine?
Conflict Defense Policy Defense Technologies Europe & Eurasia Russia Security & Defense Ukraine United States and Canada Will Zelenskyy’s Washington visit help deliver ATACMS for Ukraine? Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s trip this week to New York and Washington is just the latest twist in a flurry of contacts between the United States and Ukraine this summer.
Putin is losing control of Russia
Conflict Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy Russia Security & Defense Putin is losing control of Russia Over the past twenty-four hours, the news out of Russia has been riveting. Yevgeniy Prigozhin, leader of the Wagner group of mercenaries, announced that the Russian miliary bombed his troops’ camps in Ukraine and that he would march with his troops for a reckoning with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
To beat Putin, attack Crimea
Ukrainian forces have a real chance at achieving victory on the battlefield. The path to victory is anything but straightforward but it likely passes through Crimea. Ever since Russia invaded and occupied parts of Ukraine in 2014, far too many Western policymakers assumed that Crimea was Russia’s real red line, the one territorial conquest it could never part with. In reality, Crimea represents a point of maximum leverage. It is exactly where Ukraine needs to make battlefield gains.
The path to victory in Ukraine? It runs through Crimea
In the coming weeks and months, Ukrainian forces have a real chance at achieving victory on the battlefield. The path to victory is anything but straightforward. But one way or another, it likely passes through Crimea. Ever since Russia first invaded and occupied parts of Ukraine in 2014, far too many Western policymakers assumed that Crimea was Russia’s real red line — the one territorial conquest it could never part with.
Ukraine's path to victory over Russia runs through Crimea - The Washington Post
Russian-controlled area Russian-built fortifications RUSSIA Area held by Russian-backed separatists since 2014 Kyiv Kharkiv UKRAINE Bakhmut Donetsk Kherson Odessa CRIMEA Illegally annexed by Russia in 2014 Black Sea Russian-controlled area Russian-built fortifications RUSSIA BELARUS Area held by Russian-backed separatists since 2014 Kyiv Kharkiv UKRAINE Bakhmut Donetsk Kherson MOL.
The 2023 Global Energy Agenda
The 2023 Global Energy Agenda By Frederick Kempe Last year in this space, I wrote that the world seemed to be in a holding pattern, as we worked together to exit the pandemic while keeping decarbonization targets within sight. The decarbonization imperative remains, but this year’s challenge is now focused on how new geopolitical threats will shape the energy future, precipitated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Giving Ukraine a fighting chance: More support needed for the Territorial Defense Force
A commander of the Ukraine Territorial Defense Force recently wrote: “It has cost us too many Ukrainian lives, but each of us has made the choice to defend our freedom.” These words from the front lines of the war in Ukraine dramatize the undaunted courage of civilian volunteers and the price they are paying. Too often, however, members of the Territorial Defense Force are the unsung and under-supported heroes of Ukraine’s extraordinary response to Russia’s invasion.
Moscow shattered two illusions with one missile strike. The White House needs to accept reality.
Some illusions die hard; others have a short shelf life. Moscow’s July 23 attack on port facilities in Odesa—which came less than twenty-four hours after Moscow and Kyiv signed separate agreements with Turkey and the United Nations (UN) to unblock Ukraine’s Black Sea ports—illustrates both points. In exchange for ending the Russian blockade on Ukraine’s grain exports, the Kremlin received assurances that Western sanctions did not apply to fertilizer, opening the way to export sales.
Stay the course in Ukraine
Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP Over the past three months, the Ukrainians have thwarted Vladimir Putin's effort to topple their duly elected government, take Kyiv and occupy much of the country. The battle is not over, however, so the West must continue to help ensure that the Kremlin's aggression fails and that Ukraine forces a Russian withdrawal or achieves a negotiated outcome on terms acceptable to Ukrainians.
Ukraine Can Win
Over the past weeks, Moscow’s war on Ukraine has taken a turn. After failing to seize Kyiv, Russian forces pulled back to Belarus and Russia, leaving behind a trail of civilian casualties, and regrouped in Ukraine’s east with the aim of making additional gains in the Donbas. Russian President Vladimir Putin appointed General Alexander Dvornikov, also known as the “butcher of Syria,” to lead his country’s campaign. This week, he launched a new, more brutal military offensive in Ukraine’s east.
America can — and must — act to limit Putin’s slaughter in Ukraine
In six short days, Russian President Vladimir Putin dealt himself a major defeat in his long-term campaign to reestablish substantial influence over the states of the former Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact, and weaken NATO and the European Union.
Making Putin Pay
By ordering the invasion of Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin bears total and personal responsibility for the worst crisis in Europe since World War II. Against the wishes of virtually every other country in the world and, quite possibly, a large part of his own population, the Russian president is attempting to vanquish a sovereign democratic state and subject its 43 million people to autocratic rule.
America must act — our security and prosperity are at stake in Putin’s war on Ukraine
The Kremlin just launched a massive new attack on multiple cities across Ukraine in a major escalation of its war of aggression. The war began eight years ago, when Moscow seized and annexed Crimea and launched a not-quite-covert war in Ukraine’s Donbas region, resulting in more than 14,000 Ukrainian deaths and driving about 2.4 million people from their homes. This massive escalation could produce casualties in the hundreds of thousands and millions of refugees.
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