Former White House national security adviser John Bolton has downplayed President Donald Trump’s recent warning about imposing new sanctions on Russia, arguing that the threat is unlikely to have any real impact as peace talks continue over the war in Ukraine.
In a recent interview on CNN’s AC360, Bolton was asked to comment on Trump’s shifting rhetoric toward Russia, especially after Trump had previously expressed admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Bolton suggested that Trump’s talk of sanctions was more about political positioning than a genuine strategy to address Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
Bolton dismissed Trump’s statement as a “hollow” threat, explaining that it was likely intended to balance out Trump’s earlier remarks, which have been critical of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the war in Ukraine. He noted that the Russian government would probably see the threat as empty and not take it seriously. “Trump did this simply to show some form of balance, given the things he has said about Zelensky and the Ukrainians,” Bolton remarked. “I think Putin completely understands that the threat is totally hollow.”
Trump had suggested on Friday that he might impose additional sanctions and tariffs on Russia in an attempt to pressure Moscow into negotiating an end to the conflict. On his Truth Social account, Trump stated that Russia’s continued military actions in Ukraine warranted action, including sanctions, and urged both sides to negotiate a ceasefire “before it is too late.”
However, Bolton questioned the effectiveness of these proposed measures, pointing out that U.S. imports from Russia had already declined dramatically—by nearly 90%—since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Bolton criticized the idea of new tariffs, calling them “meaningless,” and raised concerns about why the U.S. hadn’t already implemented stronger banking sanctions on Russia.
Further, Bolton took issue with the recent pause in U.S. intelligence-sharing with Ukraine. He described the move as “despicable” and warned that it could force Ukraine to seek support from other NATO countries. Bolton stressed that Trump’s foreign policy decisions often seem based on personal relationships with foreign leaders rather than a coherent strategy, especially when it comes to Russia and Ukraine.
“Trump thinks Putin is his friend,” Bolton stated. “He’s never been a fan of Zelensky, especially after the controversial phone call in 2019. This is the kind of policy you get when there’s no strategy behind it.”
Bolton also argued that Trump’s approach would do little to push Russia to the negotiating table. “Why would they negotiate when Trump gives them everything they want?” Bolton asked.
As Trump’s team prepares to meet with Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia to discuss peace efforts, Bolton’s comments reflect the growing concern within the Republican Party about Trump’s handling of foreign policy. The ongoing uncertainty in Ukraine and the global response to Russia’s actions remain key issues for U.S. foreign relations and domestic politics.