U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested he might impose sanctions on Russia if a ceasefire in Ukraine is not achieved—a threat dismissed by his former national security adviser as mere posturing.
Speaking to CNN about Trump's comments, John Bolton said the former president was attempting to appear balanced in his stance on Moscow and Kyiv. However, Bolton argued that Russian President Vladimir Putin would not take such threats seriously.
Negotiations between the U.S. and Russia to end the war in Ukraine began in February. The talks drew criticism from European leaders, who accused Washington of sidelining Kyiv and making concessions to Moscow.
On Friday, Trump announced on Truth Social that he was "strongly considering" imposing banking sanctions and tariffs on Russia if Moscow and Ukraine did not reach an agreement to halt the fighting. He emphasized that with Russia "pounding" Ukraine on the battlefield, the economic measures would be intended to bring Moscow to the negotiating table.
Bolton, who served under Trump from 2018 to 2019 and has since become a vocal critic, told CNN that the proposed sanctions and tariffs were "completely hollow." He pointed out that Russian exports to the U.S. amounted to only $3 billion last year, and U.S. imports from Russia had plummeted by 90 percent since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began. As a result, Bolton argued, tariffs would be "practically meaningless."
Regarding potential new sanctions, Bolton noted that Russia had previously shown an ability to circumvent such measures, particularly financial ones, making any U.S. threats appear toothless to Putin.
On Saturday, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that Putin wanted peace in Ukraine and that Moscow was easier to negotiate with than Kyiv, which he claimed lacked leverage.
Trump wrote on Truth Social: "Based on the fact that Russia is absolutely 'pounding' Ukraine on the battlefield right now, I am strongly considering large scale Banking Sanctions, Sanctions, and Tariffs on Russia until a Cease Fire and FINAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT ON PEACE IS REACHED."
Bolton remarked on CNN: "He [Trump] said it just to project a sense of balance, especially considering his previous comments about Zelensky and the Ukrainians. ... Putin undoubtedly knew the threat was empty."
Meanwhile, Kyiv is preparing to send officials to Saudi Arabia on Monday to meet with U.S. representatives to discuss the conflict and explore paths to peace.
Comments
Post a Comment