Trump is committed to departing from NATO.
Euro's political landscape might experience rough waters if Trump regains the White House, as suggested by his ex-advisor John Bolton. Bolton predicts that Trump, if victorious, would strongly advocate for the U.S. leaving NATO. Additionally, Trump holds unfavorable prospects for Ukraine as well.
Serving as National Security Advisor under ex-U.S. President Donald Trump, Bolton has given fair warning to Europeans about a potential Trump comeback. According to Bolton, Trump's intention to withdraw from NATO is not merely a threat but a serious consideration. He revealed this during an interview with Funke Media Group newspapers.
Trump was dangerously close to executing this plan during the 2018 NATO summit in Brussels. Bolton urged Europe to become more self-reliant and boost its military budget. He suggested that the U.S. should increase its defense budget from the current 3% to up to 6%. "This would also mean doubling the defense expenditure for European countries," Bolton commented.
Regarding the conflict in Ukraine, Bolton believes that Putin is banking on Trump's potential re-election. According to Bolton, a Trump win would spell disaster for Ukraine. He hinted that Trump's real objective for Russia in Ukraine is similar to Vice President J.D. Vance's stance. Per Vance, Russia would retain all the territories it annexed in Ukraine, creating a demilitarized zone. Ukraine would remain distant from NATO, aligning with Putin's own position.
Bolton also pointed to Trump's comment that the Russians frequently prevail in wars. "Trump likely implied that Ukraine would inevitably succumb. He also stated that the country would be ruined and would take a century to rebuild," said Bolton. He further reiterated how authoritarian leaders like Xi Jinping, Kim Jong Un, or Vladimir Putin would recognize Trump as a vulnerable prey, given his admiration for autocratic leaders. Trump believes he can establish rapport with these leaders, considering them 'tough guys'. Bolton served as National Security Advisor to U.S. President Donald Trump from April 2018 to September 2019.
If Trump regains the White House, as predicted by his former advisor John Bolton, the United States of America under his leadership may exit NATO, causing significant changes in Europe's political landscape. Bolton's comments suggest that a Trump victory would negatively impact Ukraine's relationship with NATO.
