'I've met Vladimir Putin - he's a cold-blooded manipulator who'll never be Trump's friend'

 

EXCLUSIVE: Bolton Says Putin Is a Master Tactician—Trump Just Wakes Up and Wings It

Former U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton has warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin, a calculating and experienced strategist, will never view Donald Trump as a genuine ally—despite Trump’s apparent belief to the contrary.

Speaking to Express.co.uk via videolink, Bolton—who served under Trump during his first term—said Putin is a “cold-blooded manipulator” relentlessly pursuing Russia’s national interests. He contrasted Putin’s deliberate methods with Trump’s impulsive and unprepared style, particularly in high-stakes international dealings like efforts to broker peace in Ukraine.

“I first met Putin in October 2001, just after 9/11, and have seen him many times since,” Bolton said. “He’s cold-blooded and always focused on advancing Russian interests. When he and Trump met, I was often relieved when the talks ended without any agreement—because if they had agreed on something, it likely wouldn’t have worked in our favor.”

Bolton pointed out the stark contrast in preparation between the two men: “Putin has decades of experience. He prepares extensively and knows exactly what he wants. Trump barely prepares at all. He just wings it. So it’s not a fair match.”

According to Bolton, Trump fundamentally misreads the dynamic between himself and Putin, believing they share a personal bond. “Trump thinks they’re friends. But Putin absolutely does not see him that way.”

This misguided belief, Bolton argued, shaped Trump’s reluctance to challenge the Russian leader, even in the face of growing aggression. “Trump doesn’t want to offend someone he thinks is a friend. He’s hoping Putin will eventually come around.”

Recent comments from Trump suggest a growing confusion over Putin’s intransigence. “In the last week or so, Trump has been trying to distance himself from Putin, saying things like, ‘I don’t know what the hell he’s up to.’ That’s Trump struggling to reconcile the current situation with his imagined friendship.”

Bolton added that Trump’s admiration for strongmen extends beyond Putin. “He envies authoritarian leaders like Putin, Xi Jinping, and Kim Jong-un—people who wield unchecked power. That kind of control appeals to him.”

On Trump’s previous overtures to North Korea’s Kim Jong-un, Bolton remarked: “Trump clearly wanted to be friendly. But in many of these conversations, he just didn’t grasp the details. He can repeat ‘we need a ceasefire’ a dozen different ways, but it doesn’t move anything forward.”

Bolton described Putin as calm, confident, and laser-focused during discussions. “It was always professional. You could see Putin working toward his goal. Meanwhile, Trump was just trying to have a pleasant chat.”

He also issued a warning about the implications of a potential second Trump term. “If Trump halts military aid to Ukraine, that’s a major shift. But if he simply disengages diplomatically while keeping aid flowing, the impact might be more limited.”

As the war drags on, Ukraine signaled readiness to return to direct talks with Russia in Istanbul, according to a top adviser to President Volodymyr Zelensky. However, Ukrainian officials insist the Kremlin must first provide a detailed memorandum outlining its negotiating position before discussions can resume.