John Bolton Warns Trump’s Tariffs on India Could Backfire
US President Donald Trump with PM Narendra Modi Image credit MEA
John Bolton Warns Putin May “Work His KGB Training” to Sway Trump Ahead of Possible Ukraine Talks
By TRH Global Affairs Desk
New Delhi, August 15, 2025 — Former US National Security Advisor John Bolton has cautioned that Russian President Vladimir Putin may deploy “KGB training” tactics to win over Donald Trump during negotiations on Ukraine, even as Moscow pushes for last-minute territorial gains.
Speaking to CNN, Bolton — who served in the Trump administration and was present at the 2018 Helsinki summit between the two leaders — said Putin is likely to present a peace plan “that looks sincere” but is aimed at bringing Trump “back on his side.”
The former diplomat also criticized recent US tariffs targeting India over its Russian oil imports, noting they have angered New Delhi — especially since China, a much larger buyer of Russian energy, has not faced similar measures. “Both Moscow and Beijing are going to try to bring India closer to them,” Bolton warned.
He noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is embarking on a China visit this month, which will be a first since 2018. Bolton stressed that India has been angered by Trump Singling out New Delhi for tariffs.
Modi in his 12th Independence Day speech on Friday spelt out his plans for a self-reliant India in all aspects, including defence goods. Incidentally, the Prime Minister exhorted the Indian engineering talent to develop an indigenous engine for Make in India fighter jet. India and the US have signed an agreement for fighter jet engine.
On the Alaska Summit, Boltan was cautious in his expectations. “I think Putin has the initiative here,” Bolton said, adding: “He’s going to try to make this a bigger discussion than Ukraine — from rare earth investments to oil projects — and even propose early talks on a successor to the New START nuclear treaty, which expires in 2026. Trump would jump at that.”
Bolton suggested that any such overtures could be part of a broader Russian strategy to reshape the diplomatic field, while battlefield activity in eastern Ukraine may be intended to strengthen Moscow’s hand. CNN has reported that Russian troops have penetrated parts of Ukraine’s eastern defences, possibly to “shape the battlefield” before the summit.
On the possibility of a Trump-mediated meeting between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky “almost immediately” after the summit, Bolton was skeptical. He argued that Ukraine should avoid agreeing to a ceasefire before negotiations, warning it could lock in Russian territorial gains and leave “20% of Ukraine” behind new demarcation lines.
“This is a trap for Ukraine,” Bolton said. “If they negotiate after a ceasefire, that line becomes the new Russian Ukrainian border — and that’s not a good look for Ukraine.”
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