Staff Reports
Former National Security Advisor John Bolton has taken to CNN to share his alarming views on President Trump’s dealings with Russian President Vladimir Putin. In a lively discussion with host Kaitlan Collins, Bolton declared that Trump has essentially thrown in the towel before negotiations even kick off. It seems that for Bolton, the idea of Trump holding his ground against Putin has become a relic of the past, perhaps akin to a Betamax tape in a Netflix world.
Bolton recounted his past experiences, particularly their first tête-à-tête in Helsinki, and grimly noted that his confidence in Trump’s diplomatic prowess has evaporated faster than a snowflake in July. The current U.S. stances, as laid out by Defense Secretary Hegseth in Brussels, appear to align all too conveniently with Kremlin talking points. One can only wonder if the script was shared directly from Moscow, possibly even wrapped in some propaganda like a gift from a not-so-secret Santa.
"Putin couldn't be happier. Today in the Kremlin they are drinking vodka straight from the bottle. It's a big day for Moscow."
The US President "effectively surrendered" to Putin, said Trump's former national security adviser Bolton, commenting on his call to the Russian leader. pic.twitter.com/Qg84yjg1Ky
— First Source Report (@FirstSourceNew) February 13, 2025
Gone are the days when the U.S. could firmly advocate for Ukraine’s sovereignty. Rather than reiterating commitments to Ukraine’s independence, Bolton bemoaned that the official American stance now resembles a timid appeal for a fumbled agreement. The dream of Ukraine joining NATO, which seemed as tangible as a hot cup of coffee on a winter’s day in 2008, appears to have turned cold and flat. It’s as if Trump has swapped out the robust chess pieces of American foreign policy for some hastily drawn stick figures.
Bolton argued that Putin isn’t particularly interested in negotiating with Ukrainian President Zelensky; instead, he finds Trump a far more appealing conversational partner. The ex-NSA head suggests that Putin sees Trump as an easier target for getting what he wants, and to be fair, Bolton is likely onto something there. When someone is accustomed to getting their way, they typically look for the path of least resistance, making it clear why Trump’s style seems to fit the bill.
It’s hard not to chuckle at the irony: a former national security advisor lamenting about surrender while sitting on a CNN set, a place where “tough love” for American interests seems less fashionable than a liberal arts degree. Bolton’s commentary acts as a cautionary tale about the potential for Trump to misfire in another round with Putin, illustrating that sometimes the best fool’s gold can come packaged as an oval office chuckle. The question that looms larger than life remains: will Trump pickup where Bolton believes he left off or will he surprise everyone and bravely counter Putin as one might expect?
