Bolton responds to recorded comments about Putin: ‘That’s how to reach Trump’

Former national security adviser John Bolton shared his thoughts on Tuesday regarding former President Trump’s recent comments at the White House that highlight Russian President Putin’s tactics in seeking a diplomatic resolution for the Ukraine conflict.

Before a meeting with key European leaders, Trump was overheard on a live microphone telling French President Emmanuel Macron that Putin “wants to make a deal.”

“He wants to make a deal for me,” Trump added, emphasizing the personal nature of Putin’s approach. “Can you believe that? It’s so wild that you can actually hear it.”

During an interview on CNN’s “The Situation Room,” Bolton highlighted Trump’s phrasing of “for me.”

Bolton speculated that Putin might be capitalizing on Trump’s aspiration to win a Nobel Peace Prize by ending the war in Ukraine. He remarked, “Putin likely said something like, ‘Look, Donald, you can help here. If you bring peace, you deserve that Nobel Peace Prize, and I want to assist you.’

“That’s really what gets to Trump’s heart,” Bolton suggested.

He further pointed out that Trump’s eagerness to form a personal agreement benefiting Putin shows how effectively the Russian leader is negotiating, something Trump was seemingly proud to mention to Macron.

Having served in the Trump administration and often criticized the former president, Bolton conveyed significant skepticism about the prospects for a peace agreement before their meeting in Alaska. He also has previous experience as a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

“I don’t believe a peace deal is forthcoming anytime soon,” Bolton told CNN’s Jake Tapper on Friday.

“As long as Putin is making advances on the battlefield, even if it’s just small progress, he won’t concede anything if there’s a way to avoid it,” he stated. “I think the White House has correctly set lowered expectations, indicating just how complex the situation is.”