In the context of the U.S diplomatic drive to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, the McCain Institute found itself soberly reminding the world of Senator John McCain’s famous words: “I looked in Mr. Putin’s eyes and I saw three letters – a K, a G, and a B.”
Last week’s red-carpet meeting in Alaska between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to the White House along with seven European leaders this week, continue the United States’ sustained effort to end Russia’s assault on Ukraine—an effort the McCain Institute continues to shape by informing policymakers and the public.
In June 2025, in true John McCain fashion, the Institute led a bipartisan delegation of U.S. Congressional staffers to Ukraine, helping them gain a deeper understanding of conditions in Ukraine more than three years into Russia’s full-scale invasion.
This week, McCain Institute Executive Director Dr. Evelyn Farkas drew on her expertise and experience as former deputy assistant secretary of defense for Russia, Ukraine, and Eurasia to offer real-time, realistic assessments of the diplomatic and political-military dynamics on 10 television shows across six media outlets, twice on national radio, and in multiple print outlets.
Ahead of the summit, Evelyn joined MSNBC’s Morning Joe in-studio (clip 1, clip 2) and NBC’s Meet the Press Now to discuss possible outcomes of the bilateral meeting.
Directly following the summit, Evelyn joined CNN NewsNight (clip 1, clip 2, clip 3, clip 4) and NewsNation to assess the impact of the meeting.
Evelyn’s X/Twitter post was picked up by NBC’s Rebecca Shabad:
- Evelyn Farkas, who served as deputy assistant secretary of defense covering Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia under President Barack Obama, said in a post on X after the press event that the U.S. should now boost assistance to Ukraine.
“Unsurprisingly, no deal,” she wrote. “Putin was always just stalling. Looks like cold water tossed on the US ideas. Putin doesn’t want peace, won’t compromise.”
She added, “Time to arm up Ukraine fast, slap on some more sanctions. Russia must be defeated militarily for Kremlin to negotiate.”
Ahead of President Zelenskyy’s visit to the White House, Evelyn joined MSNBC and CNN twice (CNN News Central, CNN News Central AM) to discuss likely outcomes of the meetings with Zelenskyy and NATO leaders.
Following the White House meetings with President Zelenskyy and NATO leaders, Evelyn joined Arizona PBS Horizon and CNN’s The Arena (clip 1, clip 2) for a panel discussion on the unlikely possibility of a high-level bilateral meeting between Russia and Ukraine and to reiterate the need for lawmakers and the administration to exert pressure on Russia through sanctions and by increasing the supply of arms to Ukraine.
She spoke with the Associated Press’ Melissa Goldin regarding President Trump’s claim of ending seven wars:
- Evelyn Farkas, executive director of Arizona State University’s McCain Institute, said Trump should get credit for ending the war.
“There’s always a chance it could flare up again if Iran restarts its nuclear weapons program, but nonetheless, they were engaged in a hot war with one another,” she said. “And it didn’t have any real end in sight before President Trump got involved and gave them an ultimatum.”
Evelyn also spoke with NPR Morning Edition’s Scott Simon directly following the U.S.-Russia summit and A Martinez directly following President Zelenskyy’s visit to the White House on prospects for a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine.
The McCain Institute proudly continues Senator McCain’s legacy of fiercely advocating for Ukraine’s sovereignty and democracy, a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, and an end to Russia’s neoimperial foreign policy of aggression.