Fletcher U.S-Russia Relations Book Prize Awarded to Ambassador John J. Sullivan for “Midnight in Moscow”
By Grace Kikta, MALD 2025 Candidate, The Fletcher School
The Russia and Eurasia Program at The Fletcher School at Tufts University is pleased to award its sixth annual U.S.-Russia relations book prize to John J. Sullivan, former U.S. Ambassador to Russia and former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, for his new book “Midnight in Moscow: A Memoir from the Front Lines of Russia’s War Against the West” (2024). The award recognizes an outstanding book on historical or contemporary foreign policy discourse on the past or present of U.S.-Russia relations.
“Midnight in Moscow” is a gripping memoir by Sullivan, who stood on the diplomatic front lines during Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. This unprecedented behind-the-scenes account reveals the dramatic decline in U.S.-Russia relations and serves as a crucial playbook for navigating and implementing future foreign policy toward Russia. In the book, Sullivan provides a candid analysis of the various challenges of running U.S. Embassy Moscow, from advocating for imprisoned American citizens, countering disinformation campaigns and hostile rhetoric, maintaining diplomatic channels in the dawn of the invasion of Ukraine, and working in an unpredictable and hostile environment. He further highlights the perspectives of Russian President Vladimir Putin and elites on using performative diplomacy to portray the West negatively and mobilize domestic support during the Russia-Ukraine war. Sullivan concludes with a grim warning about the future of U.S.-Russia relations and emphasizes that the United States should continue its steadfast support of Ukraine and increase its vigilance against Russian aggression.
“Midnight in Moscow offers an extraordinary account of the origins of Russia’s assault on Ukraine—and one diplomat’s efforts to prevent the invasion,” says Chris Miller, Co-Director of the Russia and Eurasia Program. “We are excited to present the 2025 book award in U.S.-Russia relations to Ambassador Sullivan and to celebrate his excellent book and his career of public service.”
“I am thrilled to receive The Fletcher School’s sixth annual U.S.-Russia relations book prize,” says Sullivan. “To receive such an honor from an institution as important and influential as Fletcher is significant, and I hope it draws attention to the message of my book Midnight in Moscow, which is a warning about the grave security threat the Russian Federation poses to the United States and its allies and partners around the world.”
Please join us in congratulating Sullivan on the book prize. He will be honored with the award on February 3, 2025, during an evening event where he will provide attendees with valuable insights about his experiences at U.S. Embassy Moscow, the complex relationship between the United States and Russia, and the broader implications for global security. To attend the book talk, please register for the event via the Google Form here.