In this exclusive Kyiv Post interview, John Bolton pulls no punches as he dissects the enigmatic foreign policy approach of U.S. President Donald Trump, unraveling misconceptions held by many observers worldwide. Drawing upon his extensive experience as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations under George W. Bush and later as Trump’s own National Security Adviser, Bolton provides a rare insider’s perspective into managing the turbulent and unpredictable tendencies of a president known for changing his stance multiple times within a single day. He offers pointed guidance on what Ukraine, Europe, Canada, and the broader NATO alliance must do to successfully navigate Trump’s shifting political landscape.
With remarkable candor, Bolton reveals a troubling yet essential truth: the U.S. president is particularly susceptible to personal flattery—a weakness expertly leveraged by Russia, yet often underestimated by America's allies. Bolton cites the tense Oval Office exchange between President Trump and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky not merely as an example of diplomatic friction, but as a vivid illustration of Trump’s volatile temperament and his deep-seated personal animosity toward the Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief. This illuminating conversation between Ambassador Bolton and Kyiv Post's Jason Smart serves as both a cautionary tale and a strategic roadmap for nations seeking to effectively engage a leader whose personal impulses frequently override conventional diplomacy.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
01:05 Trump’s Foreign Policy: No Strategy, Only Transactions
03:30 Why Trump Misunderstands Putin & Ukraine
06:15 The White House’s Internal Struggles on Ukraine Aid
09:00 Trump’s Relationship with U.S. Intelligence & Military
11:45 Could Trump Really Annex Greenland?
14:20 NATO Allies & Their Response to Trump’s Actions
17:05 What Should Ukraine Do to Gain Trump’s Support?
19:50 Final Thoughts – Trump, Putin, and the Future of Ukraine