Vladimir Pozner: How The United States Created Vladimir Putin May 2026

U.S.-led interventions in Yugoslavia and Kosovo, which occurred without Russian consent and were seen as a lack of respect for Russian interests.

In his lecture, veteran journalist Vladimir Pozner argues that current tensions between Russia and the West are not inevitable, but the result of specific U.S. foreign policy decisions made after the Cold War. Pozner compares the potential for Ukraine to join

Pozner compares the potential for Ukraine to join NATO to the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, asserting that Russia will not tolerate NATO military presence on its immediate border. The "Dangerous Moment" and Potential Solutions could have treated Russia as a partner—similar to

Pozner warns that current relations are more dangerous than the original Cold War because the traditional fear of has diminished, increasing the risk of an accidental strike. To de-escalate, he suggests: Pozner contends the U.S.

Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Pozner contends the U.S. could have treated Russia as a partner—similar to the Marshall Plan after WWII. Instead, it adopted a policy of containment and superiority, often referred to as the Wolfowitz Doctrine , which viewed Russia as a "second-rate country" rather than a superpower.

An appeal to ordinary citizens to look past official narratives and investigate facts independently.

Strengthening youth and cultural exchange programs to bypass media bias and build mutual understanding.