Bolton dismisses Trump's Nobel hopes over Ukraine policy shift

Al Mayadeen

a day ago

Former US National Security Advisor John Bolton has cast doubt on President Donald Trump's aspirations to earn a Nobel Peace Prize over the Ukraine-Russia conflict, saying the president's recent policy shift undercuts the credibility of any peacemaking ambitions.
In comments made to Newsweek on Monday, Bolton argued that Trump's latest move, allowing the delivery of both defensive and offensive weapons to Ukraine via NATO member states, undermines his stated goal of bringing an end to the war.
According to Bolton, Trump's motivations are not rooted in a sincere commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty or regional peace. Rather, the former official believes the decision is an attempt to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin back to the negotiating table, a tactic that Bolton views as unlikely to succeed.
'From that point of view, it doesn't look like there's much chance to strike a deal between Ukraine and Russia — and therefore no Nobel Peace Prize to be won there,' Bolton told Newsweek.
Bolton also criticized Trump's approach to foreign policy, saying it lacks long-term strategic vision and is shaped largely by personal relationships with world leaders, rather than consistent principles.
This comes after Netanyahu's announcement during a White House dinner early Tuesday, where the Israeli leader revealed his official nomination of Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, describing him as the "greatest supplier of weapons" to the Israeli occupation.
US President Donald Trump on Monday confirmed that the United States will send Patriot air defense missiles to Ukraine, emphasizing that the European Union will cover the costs. The US president had announced last week that Washington would be supplying Kiev with more weapons as the Ukraine war rages on.
Speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews upon his return to Washington, Trump said, "I haven't agreed on the number yet, but they're going to have some because they do need protection, but the European Union is paying for it. We're not paying anything for it, but we will send it."
Trump also took a jab at Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying, "We will send them Patriots, which they desperately need because Putin has really surprised a lot of people. He talks nice and then he bombs everybody in the evening. A little bit of a problem there. I don't like it."
Meanwhile, the Russian government responded by reiterating its position that ongoing Western arms deliveries to Ukraine only prolong the conflict and represent a direct involvement of NATO countries. Moscow has consistently maintained that the supply of advanced military systems to Kiev undermines the prospect of any political resolution and escalates regional instability.
The decision follows a short-lived halt by the Defense Department last week, which paused delivery of certain air defense missiles and munitions to Ukraine, citing concerns over depleted US military stockpiles. The White House later confirmed that the halt came after a global assessment of American military commitments.
However, the Pentagon reversed the decision days later, announcing on Tuesday that it would resume shipments of additional defensive weapons to Ukraine. The reversal followed Trump's directive, with the Pentagon stating the move was intended "to ensure the Ukrainians can defend themselves while we work to secure a lasting peace and ensure the killing stops."
Trump later told reporters that he was unaware of who had approved the earlier pause in deliveries.