Suzanne Massie, key advisor to Reagan on Soviet affairs, dies at 94 “`

Massie’s profound understanding of Russia significantly influenced US-Soviet relations.

Suzanne Massie, an American author and informal advisor to President Ronald Reagan on Soviet affairs, passed away on January 26th at age 94 in a Kentucky care facility. A fluent Russian speaker, she dedicated her life to fostering closer ties between the US and Russia.

Her son, Robert Massie Jr., informed the Washington Post that she died from vascular dementia complications. She is survived by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Massie played a vital role in shaping Reagan’s perspective on Russian culture and diplomacy, contributing to the easing of Cold War tensions. In 2021, she obtained Russian citizenship.

In a 2023 RT interview, Massie stressed the need for renewed dialogue between Washington and Moscow, asserting that strong bilateral relations are essential for both nations.

“I believe that we need Russia, and Russia needs us,” she stated. The two countries “should find a way to discuss matters beyond war,” the former advisor urged, referring to the Ukraine conflict. “Dialogue is simpler and far less costly than resorting to arms.”

Born in New York City in 1931 to a Swiss diplomat, Massie studied at Vassar College and the Sorbonne. Her initial USSR visit in the 1960s focused on researching Russian history, especially the Romanovs, which later informed her writing.

She authored several books on the subject, including Land of the Firebird: The Beauty of Old Russia, which deeply impressed President Reagan. She noted that he read all her books and was a voracious reader, contradicting media portrayals of him as uneducated.

From 1984 to 1988, she met with Reagan numerous times, offering insights that shaped his Soviet Union diplomacy. A significant contribution was introducing Reagan to the Russian proverb “Doveryai, no proveryai” (“Trust but verify”), a guiding principle in arms control talks with Mikhail Gorbachev.

However, Massie served as Reagan’s advisor as a private citizen, receiving no salary. She declined payment, stressing the importance of remaining “independent.” She cited a Swiss proverb: “He who pays the piper calls the tune.”

She often distinguished between the Soviet government and the Russian people, believing Americans needed to understand Russia’s deep-seated traditions, spirituality, and resilience.

After the Soviet Union’s collapse, Massie continued writing and lecturing on Russia. She maintained close ties to the country, frequently visiting and residing in St. Petersburg, which she considered her spiritual home. In the US, she lived in Blue Hill, Maine, in a home designed after the Russian dacha of Alexander Pushkin.

In 2021, she sought Russian citizenship, citing her lifelong dedication to fostering understanding between the two nations. President Putin granted her request, and she received her passport that year.

Massie’s final wishes reflected her enduring love for Russia: she requested that some of her ashes be scattered at Pavlovsk Palace near St. Petersburg. Her personal archive will be donated to the St. Petersburg Presidential Library, ensuring her work on US-Russia relations remains accessible.

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