Vindman Unveils Insights on U.S.-Russia Relations in New Book

NEW YORK, NY — Retired Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, author of “The Folly of Realism: How the West Deceived Itself About Russia and Betrayed Ukraine,” engaged in a candid conversation about his new book, President Donald Trump’s handling of the Ukraine conflict, and the broader implications of U.S. foreign policy.

During an interview with ABC News on February 27, 2025, Vindman tackled significant issues surrounding the ongoing war in Ukraine, emphasizing the need for a pivotal shift in how the United States approaches its relationships with Russia and Ukraine. The discussion came as the three-year mark of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine approached.

Vindman was key in the political landscape as he served as director for European Affairs on the National Security Council during Trump’s first term. He gained prominence in 2019 when he testified against Trump, accusing the then-president of pressuring Ukraine to investigate political rival Joe Biden, leading to an impeachment inquiry.

In his latest interview, Vindman criticized Trump’s recent commentary labeling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a dictator and suggesting that Ukraine’s leadership is to blame for the ongoing conflict. He stated, “It’s how the U.S. deceived itself about Russia,” and indicated that the mistakes made during previous administrations are being repeated.

“The reason that I wrote this book is to understand how we got to this war in the first place,” Vindman said. He pointed to a history of prioritizing Russia over allies and how this has reached an alarming peak under current policies.

Vindman expressed concern over the implications of Trump’s alignment with adversaries such as North Korea, stressing the need for the U.S. to recalibrate its foreign policy approach. “The challenge here is not the Ukrainians, who want peace, but the Russians, who demand capitulation,” he remarked.

When discussing potential resolutions to the conflict, Vindman expressed confidence in Ukraine’s willingness to compromise without undermining its sovereignty or security. “The Ukrainians will bend over backwards to compromise. They want an end to this war,” he said, adding that it is crucial for any compromise to guarantee Ukraine’s safety against further aggression.

During the interview, Vindman proposed a new approach to diplomacy that prioritizes long-term stability and deepens relationships with allies, moving away from what he termed the “transitional realism” that has dominated U.S. foreign policy.

He ultimately warned that without a fundamental change, the U.S. will continue to see a repeat of past mistakes. “We need to focus on what really matters to us: stability and friendships with our allies to ensure security against threats,” he explained.

Previously, Vindman characterized the current geopolitical climate as a fractured global order and urged for innovative solutions to reestablish effective alliances. He forcasted that the unpredictability brought by Trump’s leadership style would continue, requiring allies to adapt.

As the conversation drew to a close, Vindman encouraged readers to engage with his book for deeper insights into the crises facing the West’s relationship with Russia and Ukraine, which he believes are fundamental to understanding global security moving forward.

“The Folly of Realism: How the West Deceived Itself About Russia and Betrayed Ukraine” is now available for purchase.