Midnight in Moscow: A Memoir from the Front Lines of Russia's War Against the West
by John J. Sullivan
2025 Winner – The Fletcher School's Best Book on U.S.-Russian Relations
One of The Cipher Brief’s “Best National Security Reads for 2024”
In this gripping memoir, former U.S. Ambassador to Russia John J. Sullivan offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at diplomacy under fire during one of the most perilous moments in modern history—the lead-up to and outbreak of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Midnight in Moscow is the first behind-the-scenes account of how U.S.-Russia relations hit their nadir. From urgent midnight calls to high-stakes encounters in the Kremlin, Sullivan reveals how U.S.-Russia relations unraveled, how Putin’s regime masked its true intentions, and why the conflict marks a broader confrontation with the West.
A frontline account and a strategic guide, this is essential and timely reading for understanding a turning point in global affairs—and what comes next. With his unique perspective on a pivotal moment in world history, Sullivan shows how our relationship with Russia has deteriorated, where it’s headed, and how far we should be prepared to go in standing up to the menace in Moscow.
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We are proud to partner with the Loudoun County Public Library who makes available multiple copies of this book for checkout at the Rust Library.