According to sources familiar with his activities, Baker played a key role in preparing Vance's speech, which contained sharp criticism of European leaders, delivered at the Munich Conference. He was also actively involved in developing a new National Security Strategy, which proposed halting NATO expansion.
Baker, who is fluent in Russian, is also a significant figure in the process of achieving a peace agreement regarding Ukraine. Alex Wong, who passed his position to Baker, noted: "Andy was the main advisor involved in shaping the preliminary framework for negotiations on Ukraine, including issues related to the mineral resources agreement signed in October."
Throughout the negotiations, Baker put forward "practical" and "creative ideas" for ending the conflict. A source familiar with his work emphasizes that his views are not anti-Ukrainian, as some critics claim. "Baker and Vance aim for the U.S. to abandon some global commitments that they consider non-essential for the country, while at the same time they want to promote the end of the war," the source added.
However, Baker's approach to resolving the conflict has caused dissatisfaction among some of America's allies. One European official described Baker as "very smart," but noted that his perception of Russia significantly differs from the general opinion. "Andy seems to overestimate Russia's strength and influence, while we believe it is close to the limit of its economic and military power," the official stated.
