Bolton on Trump-Kim Meeting in Hanoi: Negotiations Have Not Failed

The National Security Advisor to the U.S. President defended Donald Trump's negotiations with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Hanoi, stating that he "did not give anything away." The talks between the U.S. and North Korean leaders ended without a written agreement. On March 3, John Bolton, in several television interviews, defended the U.S. President's negotiations with the North Korean leader, asserting that these discussions were conducted in line with U.S. national interests and security. Trump and Kim met last week for the second time in Vietnam's capital to discuss the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, less than a year after their first meeting in Singapore. While both sides left the meeting expressing optimism, the discussions concluded without a signed agreement. Trump mentioned that the main issue was sanctions, with North Korea demanding the lifting of all sanctions, while North Korea stated it did not seek the lifting of all sanctions. Nonetheless, statements from senior officials of both countries indicate that sanctions were a key focus of the negotiations. Bolton emphasized that the U.S. and North Korean leaders left the negotiation table in a good position, and Trump demonstrated to North Korea and other countries how to negotiate. Adam Schiff, a Democratic representative and Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, described the Hanoi negotiations as a "stunning failure," claiming that the U.S. President and his team were not adequately prepared for such negotiations. Bolton countered that when U.S. interests are at stake, Trump is not desperate to reach an agreement, neither with North Korea nor anyone else. He added that the President remains steadfast in his approach and has deepened his relationship with Kim Jong-un. In another context, Bolton addressed the issue of Otto Warmbier, a young American student who was detained in North Korea and ultimately died. Warmbier was arrested during a tourist trip to North Korea and spent a total of 17 months in detention. He was released in a comatose state and died shortly thereafter. The family of this American student accused North Korean authorities of "torturing" their son. At that time, the U.S. President expressed sympathy to Otto Warmbier's family. Trump stated in a press conference after the Hanoi negotiations that Kim Jong-un told him he "knew nothing about this matter, and I take his word for it." However, some critics, recalling the human rights situation in North Korea and the extensive powers of its leader, criticized Trump's remarks. Among these critics was Kevin McCarthy, the House Minority Leader, who told ABC that "I think Kim knew what was happening." Bolton, however, stated that Trump's comments do not mean accepting Kim Jong-un's statements as the truth but rather that he acknowledges what Kim Jong-un said. Bolton participated in interviews with Fox, CNN, and CBS on Sunday.