What President Bush Should Say to President Putin in Bratislava

As the world was gripped by political events in Ukraine late in 2004, I watched in amazement as President Vladimir Putin of Russia painted himself and his country into a smaller and more uncomfortable corner.

The same leader, who skillfully built relationships with Europe’s leaders and who wisely was the first to call President George Bush after 9/11 and declare his country ready to help in the common defense against transnational terrorism, committed the diplomatic faux pas of publicly declaring for a candidate in the elections of a neighboring sovereign country. Even worse, he staked his country’s interests and credibility on that candidate’s win. […]

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