'Trump didn’t lose, Putin clearly won': Ex-US NSA John Bolton on Alaska summit

Bolton, speaking to CNN, argued that Putin had achieved his main goal of restoring influence.

Former US National Security Advisor John Bolton, on Saturday, said that Russian President Vladimir Putin emerged as the clear winner at the Alaska Summit, even as US President Donald Trump insisted the talks were a “great success.”

The meeting in Alaska, which brought together Trump and Putin, lasted nearly three hours but ended without concrete breakthroughs. The only outcome was an agreement to hold more talks.

Bolton, speaking to CNN, argued that Putin had achieved his main goal of restoring influence.

"He has escaped sanctions and he is not facing a ceasefire. The next meeting is not set. Zelensky was not told any of this before this press conference," Bolton said, adding that Zelenskyy was not briefed in advance on the summit’s outcomes.

He also noted that Trump appeared “very tired” at the press conference, not disappointed, but visibly fatigued, something Bolton suggested could carry implications for future negotiations.

"And I will say one other thing. I thought Trump looked very tired up there. I mean, very tired," noted Bolton, further adding, "Not disappointed, tired. And we'll have to reflect on what that means."

From Trump’s perspective, however, the discussions were far from a failure. He described them as “productive,” stating that while no deal was reached, “we have a very good chance of getting there.”

On Truth Social, he went further, calling the meeting “a great and very successful day in Alaska.”

Trump reiterated that his focus is on securing a direct peace deal between Russia and Ukraine rather than a ceasefire, which he argued would likely collapse. “The best way to end the horrific war is through a Peace Agreement, not a Ceasefire Agreement, which often does not hold up,” he wrote.

Later the same day, Trump confirmed he would meet Zelenskyy on Monday, with the possibility of another trilateral session with Putin to follow.