Bolton criticizes Rubio’s comments on Europe and Ukraine as complete nonsense

Former national security adviser John Bolton expressed strong criticism on Wednesday regarding Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s comments about purchasing Russian oil, calling it “complete nonsense.” Bolton reacted to Rubio’s earlier remarks, which suggested that the U.S. should take a more proactive role in addressing the situation with Russia.

“Waiting for the Europeans is akin to waiting for Godot. It’s simply not going to happen,” Bolton stated during an appearance on CNN’s “News Central.” He added, “If we don’t step up, the conflict in Ukraine will drag on, which benefits Russia. That’s exactly what Putin is counting on.”

Rubio had voiced opposition to sanctions in a Tuesday interview with NBC, claiming that the U.S. is uniquely positioned to negotiate with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the upcoming Peace Conference.

“If we ramp up sanctions, our ability to mediate peace diminishes, and the war could drag on for another two years, resulting in countless more deaths,” he told NBC’s Craig Melvin. He later criticized European nations for continuing to purchase Russian oil, emphasizing the need to avoid a prolonged conflict.

Bolton noted that the war has taken a turn for the worse since the Alaska Summit between President Trump and Putin. “After that meeting, Putin has behaved as though he has a free hand,” Bolton remarked to host Kate Boudan. “I’m concerned that his perception of reality in Ukraine may be accurate.”

While Rubio has indicated he doesn’t believe the U.S. should currently oppose sanctions, he acknowledged that the approach taken by the Trump administration might evolve over time. “It’s essential to engage with both sides. For instance, take Donetsk — Putin is clear about his intentions there. We’ve always had the opportunity to speak to both nations, and I think that’s crucial,” Rubio stated. “However, there’s a chance that this role could eventually cease to exist.”

He concluded by noting that the president has already voiced significant disappointment regarding Putin’s actions since the Alaska Summit.