Bolton: It's a Mistake for Ukraine to Make Concessions

Tuesday, December 16, 2025

"I don't think [US President] Donald Trump is really motivated by US national security interests, or NATO, or Ukrainian interests. I think he wants the Nobel Peace Prize -- I think it's been on his mind since the first term," argues former US national security adviser John Bolton in an interview with FRANCE 24's Gavin Lee. "Putin thinks time is on his side. This is not the time for the US or Europe to give up and say 'let's get the best deal we can'," he adds.

Posted by lamplighter at 08:32 PM | 17 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

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Trump on Ukraine: "They've already lost the territory to be honest. The territory is lost. But in terms of security guarantee, we're working with Europe on it."

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-- Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) Dec 15, 2025 at 3:54 PM

Comments

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Sadly, only the video seems to be available.

I cannot find a transcript of what was said,

#1 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-12-15 02:25 AM | Reply

He said go ---- yourself.

#2 | Posted by fortfisher at 2025-12-15 07:52 PM | Reply

"I think he wants the Nobel Peace Prize"

Well that would do wonders for Henry Kissinger's reputation.

#3 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-12-15 07:55 PM | Reply

Given 20 years of hindsight and experience, Bolton still says invading Iraq was a good idea.

We can't find any better references for foreign policy op eds?

#4 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2025-12-16 09:39 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 2

"Given 20 years of hindsight and experience, Bolton still says invading Iraq was a good idea."

Bolton was an architect of PNAC, so of course he thinks that.

You don't get to be John Bolton by admitting you were wrong about your life's biggest "accomplishment."

#5 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-12-16 09:48 AM | Reply

Ceding land is the only way they stop Fighting.

Bolton doesn't Care about Ukraine, that's pretty clear.

He just wants the Carnage to Continue.

War is his Wheelhouse.

He didn't get where he is by promoting Peaceful solutions.

War is his Go To Solution to Every problem.

#6 | Posted by Effeteposer at 2025-12-16 10:55 AM | Reply | Funny: 1

... "I don't think [US President] Donald Trump is really motivated by US national security interests, or NATO, or Ukrainian interests. I think he wants the Nobel Peace Prize ...

I agree.

Pres Trump does not seem to care about Ukraine or its people.

He just seems to want to chalk up a transaction in his favor, regardless of who that transaction hurts.

#7 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-12-16 09:12 PM | Reply

Bolton is chicken hawk and armchair warrior. Hand him a rifle and drop him off behind the lines in Russia.

#8 | Posted by visitor_ at 2025-12-16 09:12 PM | Reply

#8 Spoken like a true chicken hawk and armchair warrior.

Kudos, visitor_.

#9 | Posted by A_Friend at 2025-12-16 09:13 PM | Reply

Bolton is a lot of things, but he isn't knee deep in Russian Oligarchs like Trump, who has laundered more Russian money with FL real estate than 1Nut has laundered shirts.

#10 | Posted by Corky at 2025-12-16 09:18 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 2

@#6 ... Ceding land is the only way they stop Fighting. ...

Your alias seems to have been in favor of Pres Putin's unprovoked invasion of a sovereign country from the start.

Thanks for returning to spouting Pres Putin's talking points.

Ceding land may temporarily stop fighting, but what about the future?

If Russia is awarded a bonus for its unprovoked invasion of a sovereign country, will Russia stop at the seized land?

Pres Putin has said that Ukraine does not exist, that Ukraine is just a part of Russia.

Is ceding land the real approach to peace?

#11 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-12-16 09:18 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 2

"There is no Ukraine": Fact-Checking the Kremlin's Version of Ukrainian History (2020)
blogs.lse.ac.uk

... The notion that Ukraine is not a country, but a historical part of Russia, appears to be deeply ingrained in the minds of Russian leadership. ...

But as much as these assumptions may resonate with ordinary Russians, as well as some foreign leaders, a glance into Ukrainian history reveals that they are based on a dangerously distorted reading of the past.

Ultimately, by redrawing borders and rewriting history the Kremlin is unlikely to have done itself a favour.

Through its intervention in Ukraine it has galvanised most Ukrainians in their aversion to Russia and has thereby done a great deal to demarcate the perceived differences between Ukrainians and Russians more clearly than ever before. ...

#12 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-12-16 09:22 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Bolton is a lot of things, but he isn't knee deep in Russian Oligarchs like Trump,

Does it matter? both are often wrong.

Ceding land may temporarily stop fighting, but what about the future
Is ceding land the real approach to peace?

Not according to the Israelis.

I would ask Putin "what land do want?", then you can make a calculated decision.

Without this info there's no reason to stop fighting, sure hundreds of thousands will die but nothing can be done right.

But when Putin does take all of Ukraine, don't go running around like you didn't have a choice.

Pres Putin has said that Ukraine does not exist, that Ukraine is just a part of Russia.

So what? Presidents say stupid shit all the time.

#13 | Posted by oneironaut at 2025-12-16 09:25 PM | Reply | Funny: 2

#13 Presidents say stupid shit all the time?

You mean just like you, onepigheadedsmoothbrainaut?

We have come to expect that.

#14 | Posted by A_Friend at 2025-12-16 09:28 PM | Reply

Failure to understand Russia is a huge mistake.

The only way this stops is if Russia is forced out. If ANY land is ceded, Russia will pause, build more weapons, and try again.

The only permanent fix is if an intact Ukraine joins NATO.

Maybe in a hundred years Russia will civilize. But not now.

#15 | Posted by DarkVader at 2025-12-16 09:38 PM | Reply

@#1 ... Failure to understand Russia is a huge mistake. ...

Agree 100%.

... The only way this stops is if Russia is forced out. If ANY land is ceded, Russia will pause, build more weapons, and try again.

The only permanent fix is if an intact Ukraine joins NATO. ...

Again, agree 100%

And, if I may add, that seems to be why Pres Trump is so against Ukraine joining NATO.

#16 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-12-16 09:46 PM | Reply

"Bolton is chicken hawk and armchair warrior."

So why'd you vote for his boy W and PNAC?

I mean really.

#17 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-12-16 10:00 PM | Reply