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Drudge Retort: The Other Side of the News
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.

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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

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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 ---- all the time.

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

#13 Presidents say stupid ---- 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

Bolton had a chance to do the right thing and rid this nation of this cancer once and for all and he chose to write a book instead.

---- him and his moustache with a rusty garden tool.

His view on anything is as relevant as a rotary dial phone.

#18 | Posted by Nixon at 2025-12-17 07:42 AM | Reply

^^^^ THIS.

#19 | Posted by Effeteposer at 2025-12-17 09:51 AM | Reply

Is ceding land the real approach to peace?
#11 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-12-16 09:18 PM | Reply | Flag:

The realistic view is that the Donbass is gone and Ukraine does not have the capability to take it back.

No capability we can give them can make it happen. Ceding land isn't optional.

#20 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2025-12-18 09:35 AM | Reply

Just lick Putie's --------- and Cede the Eastern third of Ukraine already.

Too many People have Already been killed for the Unrealistic Dream of an "intact" Ukraine.

Donbass is Russia.

The People there don't want to be Ukrainian.

They are Fighting Ukraine to stay Russia at this point.

If Ukraine Won and retook the lands taken?

What then?

Ethnic Cleansing the Israeli Way?

It's not like the Ukrainians would welcome the New "Citizens" they abused before being liberated by Russia.

They want the land, not the People.

Russia wants both.

That's why Russia winning... is more Just.

Even though Invading was Stupid and Illegal.

People are more Important than Property?

Yeah Right.

#21 | Posted by Effeteposer at 2025-12-18 10:25 AM | Reply

Russians are a minority in Donbas.

"Donetsk Oblast: 57% ethnic Ukrainian, 38% ethnic Russian."

www.google.com

And hardly any are, 'Nazis'.

- Donbass is Russia

"No, the Donbas region (Donetsk & Luhansk oblasts) is internationally recognized as part of Ukraine, though Russia currently occupies most of it and claims it as Russian territory after illegal annexations in 2022, following earlier Russian-backed separatist control starting in 2014."

www.google.com

Rewarding the Invading Aggressor is never a good idea... perhaps we should give ICE Medals and tell Trump what fine President he is?

#22 | Posted by Corky at 2025-12-18 11:02 AM | Reply

AI slop. "2001 Ukrainian Census". That's not relevant anymore and hasn't been since The Little Green Men.

#23 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2025-12-18 11:56 AM | Reply

Try asking AI for any realistically provided capability that can allow them to reconquer Donbass or Crimea. Best you'll get is Grok telling you Elon can 1v1 the entire Russian army.

#24 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2025-12-18 12:00 PM | Reply

Fighting Eternally isn't Good either.

If the Palestinians got a good deal on Relocation to another country and Reparations for their losses?

Should they go? Or should they Fight a Forever war that will End only in their Extermination? Given the Realities of what is Arrayed against them?

That's something only they can decide ,Each person Individually. In Palestine's Case the Usurpers want it All. And the Erasure of any trace of the Original "Fake" Culture of the inhabitants.

Ukraine likewise. Its not like the Russians are giving up any more than the Israelis are.

War is a great evil. Endless War is not a Viable way of Life.

Sunk Costs become too Heavy.

Walking away if Possible, is better than War for Generations.

Palestinians have No where to go.

If they had a viable place?

#25 | Posted by Effeteposer at 2025-12-18 12:04 PM | Reply

Ukraine has ALREADY LOST the areas they would cede.

It's too bad someone has to Lose.

But starting an Existential war with Russia on it's own Doorstep to prop up a Proxy State was Stupid and Doomed to Fail.

As I've asserted for three years now.

Events have shown that to be accurate.

Superpowers never say they're Sorry.

That's part of being Super.

#26 | Posted by Effeteposer at 2025-12-18 12:12 PM | Reply

But starting an Existential war with Russia

Russia started it by invading. Twice. Duh.

#27 | Posted by Alexandrite at 2025-12-18 12:14 PM | Reply

They invaded because Ukraine, right or wrong,is to THEM not Negotiable.

They were not going to have a former vital part of Russia be weaponized against them by NATO.

Pushed into a Corner, Surrounded by Missiles, pointed right at them, was unacceptable, and they chose war instead.

Israel does the same thing all the time, they get money and Arms, not Sanctions and War.

Israel fears Iran,they claim it's Existential.

Russia is just doing the same thing we encourage Israel to do to its neighbors.

They are building a Buffer Zone.

For Security...

Its sounds Lame doesn't it?

It IS Lame.

That's the world of REALPOLITIK.

#28 | Posted by Effeteposer at 2025-12-18 12:28 PM | Reply

Wrong, you can say wrong. It's okay.

#29 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2025-12-18 01:22 PM | Reply

Wrong.?

I can say it. It Is Wrong.

But why is it's being Wrong not consistent depending on who is doing it?

Russia? It's CLEARLY WRONG.

ISRAEL? It's Complicated,you don't know all the facts, Israel just needs some way to tell their "Story" so the righteousness of their Murders is clear and understood.

You see the Problem here?

Israel gets Impunity, Russia does Not.

Both are Clearly Wrong.

Or are they?

If Israel gets to be Monsters with Abundant and ongoing Assistance from the same Countries that call Russia "Evil" for doing something Equally wrong it kinda makes the word Meaningless.

#30 | Posted by Effeteposer at 2025-12-18 02:43 PM | Reply

#23

Someone is butthurt from another thread. A swastika up there will do that.

2001 is the last Census in independent Ukraine, and is used for all such stats.

#31 | Posted by Corky at 2025-12-18 04:33 PM | Reply

#23

Someone is butthurt from another thread. A swastika up there will do that.
#31 | POSTED BY CORKY AT 2025-12-18 04:33 PM | REPLY | FLAG:

You have your posters mixed up, paw paw.

#32 | Posted by lfthndthrds at 2025-12-18 06:53 PM | Reply


Someone is butthurt from another thread. A swastika up there will do that.
#31 | POSTED BY CORKY

AI Slop is AI Slop.

#33 | Posted by oneironaut at 2025-12-18 07:12 PM | Reply

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