This article is an interview with John Bolton, a former US National Security Adviser under President Donald Trump. The Kyiv Independent asked him about the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and his views on Russia‘s involvement.
Key points from the interview:
* Bolton believes that China and Russia have a close relationship, with China providing political cover for Russia during the war in Ukraine.
* He thinks it is unrealistic to expect Russia to be pulled away from China as part of a settlement in Ukraine.
* Bolton also argues that China has no good intentions regarding Ukraine and sees it as an opportunity for Russia to achieve its goals.
* When asked about missed opportunities to deter Russian aggression, Bolton cited the 2008 Bucharest NATO Summit where President George W. Bush said Ukraine and Georgia should have been brought into NATO on a fast track.
* He believes that this failure to act created an expectation among Russians that they could invade Ukraine with little resistance.
* On the current ceasefire proposal, Bolton is skeptical of Russia’s intentions, citing their history of violating agreements and shifting blame.
* He thinks Putin will stall for time while continuing military operations in Ukraine and that Trump’s administration has given away too much to expect meaningful concessions from Russia.
Overall, the interview provides insights into John Bolton’s hawkish views on Russia and his skepticism about the effectiveness of diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine.