Trump's First-Term Aide Bolton Says "Trump's Ukraine Plan Was a 'Surrender Operation'"

"US May Withdraw from NATO...
European Peacekeeping Force Not Acceptable"

Former White House National Security Advisor John Bolton warned that the peace agreement proposed by President Donald Trump to end the Russia-Ukraine war is tantamount to surrendering to Russian President Vladimir Putin, and that in the process, the United States might withdraw from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

On the 20th (local time), Bolton made these remarks on Politico's podcast, stating that Trump's peace agreement would weaken the security of both Ukraine and Europe.

John Bolton, former White House National Security Advisor. Photo by Yonhap News

Bolton served as an aide to President Trump during his first term administration from 2018 to 2019 but became estranged due to conflicts over foreign policy issues.

Bolton said, "I thought President Trump would withdraw from NATO, but he has not done so yet," adding, "The signals have already begun to emerge." He continued, "A ceasefire will be achieved, a militarized buffer zone will be established, negotiations will begin, and Ukraine will agree to abandon its NATO membership. It is essentially a peace agreement drafted by Russia." President Trump has mentioned withdrawing from NATO multiple times since his first term administration.

As peace negotiations to end the Ukraine war shift toward talks between the U.S. and Russia, Europe, led by the United Kingdom and France, is considering deploying a European-led peacekeeping force to Ukraine. According to White House National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will visit Washington D.C. next week to meet with President Trump. It is expected that they will officially propose the European peacekeeping force deployment plan for Ukraine to the U.S. during this meeting.

However, Bolton expressed opposition to the European peacekeeping force deployment plan. He pointed out, "Based on experience with the United Nations, deploying peacekeepers can result in them becoming a permanent part of the region," adding, "After a certain period, it could effectively lead to the division of Ukraine, and over time, there is a risk that this could be legally recognized." He also questioned whether the peacekeepers' purpose is to enforce a ceasefire and if they would be authorized to use force, saying, "I have never heard Europeans clarify which of these they have in mind."

He further suggested that instead of planning based on the future scenario agreed upon by Presidents Trump and Putin, Europe should expand support such as weapons to Ukraine. He said, "There is no absolute obligation to have a ceasefire and negotiations," and added, "If Ukraine is not prepared to give up the possibility of reclaiming its territory, freezing the situation at the current borders could be risky."

Bolton emphasized that European leaders should consult with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Rubio to minimize damage and prevent a defeat in Ukraine from leading to the U.S. withdrawing from NATO. He also criticized President Trump's chaotic style, noting that Trump does not formulate policies in the usual way and that conversations with other figures like Secretary Rubio or Advisor Waltz are necessary. Secretary Rubio has prioritized alliances in diplomacy and, during his time as a senator, passed legislation preventing the president from withdrawing from NATO without congressional approval. Bolton added that the current situation will test Secretary Rubio's past commitment to maintaining the U.S. NATO alliance and said, "Perhaps he is no longer the same Mike Rubio."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.