Michael McFaul

And by the way, there's a lot of Americans like me who think we're more than just mineral deals. We stand for more of that. So it is the fight is still on. But to your point, yes, the center of gravity has moved to Europe. I was at the Munich Security Conference. Actually, we talked at four in the morning there. I now remember. And the mood then was, well, we've got to pick this up.

And by the way, there's a lot of Americans like me who think we're more than just mineral deals. We stand for more of that. So it is the fight is still on. But to your point, yes, the center of gravity has moved to Europe. I was at the Munich Security Conference. Actually, we talked at four in the morning there. I now remember. And the mood then was, well, we've got to pick this up.

We've got to unite. We've got to stand behind the democratically elected leader of Ukraine against this imperialist dictator that has invaded his country. And tragically, for now, that's where the center of gravity for the free world is.

We've got to unite. We've got to stand behind the democratically elected leader of Ukraine against this imperialist dictator that has invaded his country. And tragically, for now, that's where the center of gravity for the free world is.

Can't imagine being anywhere else. Thanks for having me, Rachel.

Can't imagine being anywhere else. Thanks for having me, Rachel.

Always a pleasure to be on with you, Rachel.

Always a pleasure to be on with you, Rachel.

Well, first, it was just a rookie mistake is very generous. I've negotiated with the Russians before. They're tough negotiators. And you don't just capitulate and give them what they want before you start the negotiations. And the vice president could have clarified things today at the Munich Security Conference.

Well, first, it was just a rookie mistake is very generous. I've negotiated with the Russians before. They're tough negotiators. And you don't just capitulate and give them what they want before you start the negotiations. And the vice president could have clarified things today at the Munich Security Conference.

He could have devoted his speech to saying what the United States position is, what the Trump administration official position is to try to clean it up. But instead, he gave a speech about how democracy is failing in Europe. He said that that was a bigger threat to Europe than Russia or China. And he said that in a room filled with generals and admirals and Ukrainian soldiers.

He could have devoted his speech to saying what the United States position is, what the Trump administration official position is to try to clean it up. But instead, he gave a speech about how democracy is failing in Europe. He said that that was a bigger threat to Europe than Russia or China. And he said that in a room filled with generals and admirals and Ukrainian soldiers.

Again, I don't need to tell you, Rachel, the irony of the Vice President of the United States, who works for President Trump, telling the Europeans that they're doing a bad job at democracy, given what we are going through right now and given what we went through four years ago, really was quite insulting for this audience.

Again, I don't need to tell you, Rachel, the irony of the Vice President of the United States, who works for President Trump, telling the Europeans that they're doing a bad job at democracy, given what we are going through right now and given what we went through four years ago, really was quite insulting for this audience.

It was a great opportunity to say clearly what their position was, and instead he chose to lecture them about democracy.

It was a great opportunity to say clearly what their position was, and instead he chose to lecture them about democracy.

Definitely not a logistics decision problem. Anybody that the vice president wanted to meet with, he could. But it underscores the other message of his speech. His speech was basically adopt our interpretation of values, right? Mega values. And again, these guys, there's a big contradiction. They talk about sovereignty all the time.

Definitely not a logistics decision problem. Anybody that the vice president wanted to meet with, he could. But it underscores the other message of his speech. His speech was basically adopt our interpretation of values, right? Mega values. And again, these guys, there's a big contradiction. They talk about sovereignty all the time.

But when it comes to German sovereignty, they're perfectly willing to get involved. There's elections here in just a few days here in Germany. And it was not well received. I've been to this conference many, many times. I cannot recall a speech that so many people were so insulted by.

But when it comes to German sovereignty, they're perfectly willing to get involved. There's elections here in just a few days here in Germany. And it was not well received. I've been to this conference many, many times. I cannot recall a speech that so many people were so insulted by.