The article reflects on a former CIA officer's significant experience briefing the President of the United States in the Oval Office. The officer emphasizes the importance of open dialogue and the President's willingness to listen to differing opinions. He shares insights from his travels to Ukraine post-retirement, highlighting the dire situation faced by Ukrainians due to Putin's ongoing war. The officer argues that the key to resolving the conflict rests in exerting greater pressure on the Kremlin to negotiate, especially with the upcoming U.S. Presidential election looming.
I will never forget the experience of speaking with you, the President of the United States, and will always remember what it was like sitting across from you in the Oval Office - the most powerful leader in the world (and a fellow New Yorker).
While discussing something - that I will not discuss publicly - related to Russian President Vladimir Putin, I told you that I did not agree with a point you made. Instead of getting angry or kicking me out of your office, you asked me to explain why I disagreed.
A lot has changed since 2017. Since retiring from the CIA in May 2023, I have traveled to Ukraine multiple times and have seen firsthand, the horrible impact that Vladimir Putin's war against Ukraine has had on the Ukrainian people.
It also seems clear now that the only way to bring an end to this war is to force Putin to negotiate by significantly increasing pressure on the Kremlin.
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