John Bolton Criticizes Trump's Meeting with Putin: 'Good for the Kremlin'

The prospects for peace in Ukraine are worse than before Trump met with Putin, according to former National Security Advisor John Bolton.

Vladimir Putin arrived in Alaska with great fanfare for a meeting with Donald Trump earlier this summer.

Before the meeting, Donald Trump had demanded a ceasefire in Ukraine, threatened Putin with 'severe consequences' if the war did not end, and claimed he deserved the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts.

However, despite the meeting, bombs have continued to fall on Ukrainian cities.

Last week, Russia conducted one of the most extensive attacks on Ukraine since the war began. At least 25 people were killed and 63 injured.

Criticized: Worse Chances

Donald Trump's former National Security Advisor John Bolton now harshly criticizes the meeting in Alaska. According to Bolton, who is now a strong Trump critic, the U.S. president was humiliated by Putin.

– I believe the chances for peace are worse today than before the meeting. Putin has literally gotten away with murder. Whatever he said to Trump in Alaska, he ignores with increasing attacks on civilians, he said in an interview with Sky News.

John Bolton also mentions Putin's statement at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, SCO, yesterday. There, Putin blamed the West and NATO for the war in Ukraine.

– It shows that there has been no change in Russia's position, says John Bolton.

'Long-term Strategy'

According to John Bolton, Putin has a long-term strategy with the goal of taking control of Ukraine.

– It is part of his goal to recreate the Russian empire. He has been clear about this publicly for 20 years, he says.

Even if a peace agreement were reached between Russia and Ukraine in the future, Bolton believes it would not lead to a sustainable peace.

– A pause in the fighting would only mean that Russia can build up its army and prepare for a third offensive, he tells Sky News.