Former National Security Adviser John Bolton is warning that President Donald Trump’s upcoming meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin could be a major win for Moscow — and a dangerous step for U.S. interests.
Bolton: “Putin’s Already Won Before the Meeting Even Starts”
Appearing on CNN’s The Source with Kaitlan Collins, Bolton accused Trump of “playing right into Putin’s hands” by hosting the summit on American soil — specifically in Alaska.
“It’s very gracious of Putin to come to what was once Russian America,” Bolton remarked, adding that the setting was almost as questionable as Trump’s previous consideration of hosting Taliban peace talks at Camp David.
“The only better place for Putin than Alaska would have been Moscow,” Bolton continued. “From the very start, this is a great victory for Putin.”
Summit Set for August 15 in Anchorage
President Trump confirmed the high-profile meeting will take place on August 15 in Anchorage, Alaska. The announcement comes amid reports that Putin has offered to end the war in Ukraine in exchange for control of the Donbas region — a deal Bolton says would undermine both Ukraine and U.S. credibility.
Calling Putin “a rogue leader of a pariah state,” Bolton blasted the idea of welcoming him to the United States at all.
Fear That Ukraine Will Be Forced Into a Bad Deal
Bolton suggested the talks could lead to Washington and Moscow dictating terms to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. “This is sliding very quickly in Russia’s direction,” Bolton warned. “Surrender is always one way to get a peace deal.”
Drawing on his experience as U.N. Ambassador, Bolton compared the situation to a previous Oval Office meeting where Trump told Zelenskyy he had “no cards to play.”
Zelenskyy: Ukraine Will Not Surrender Territory
Zelenskyy has firmly rejected any proposal that includes giving up Ukrainian land. In a Saturday morning video address, he declared:
“The answer to Ukraine’s territorial question is already in our Constitution. No one will retreat from this, and no one can. Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier.”
Why This Meeting Could Reshape Global Politics
The Trump-Putin Alaska summit is set against a backdrop of shifting global alliances, heated debates over U.S. foreign policy, and the ongoing fight for Ukraine’s sovereignty. For critics like Bolton, the meeting represents not diplomacy — but a potential strategic loss that could embolden America’s adversaries.