Former United States National Security Adviser, John Bolton, said on Friday that Russian President Vladimir Putin is manipulating US President Donald Trump amid the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
Bolton also claimed that Russia’s only regret in its war with Ukraine is that they did not ask for more, as Trump attempts to negotiate peace.
“What we are seeing now is Vladimir Putin manoeuvring to get to the point where he has a one-on-one phone conversation with Trump,” Bolton told Sky News.
When asked whether he believes Putin is manipulating Trump, Bolton responded: “I think so.
“If you look at the American position on the war, the only regret in the Kremlin is that they did not ask for more.”
This comes after Trump recently stated that there is a very good chance the war between Russia and Ukraine could end following productive discussions with Putin.
Trump revealed this in a post on Truth Social, adding that he had also requested that Putin spare the lives of Ukrainian troops who are completely surrounded.
The US leader is keen to broker a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia that would bring an end to the war, which has lasted over three years.