Russia making a ‘big mistake’ getting closer to China than US & Europe: Ex-US NSA John Bolton

Moscow/Washington/Beijing: – Former US National Security Advisor (NSA) John Bolton claimed ‘US and NATO policies are not pushing Russia towards China. It is President Putin who has chosen the path to develop closeness with China. This decision could prove to be a big mistake.’ Since the last few years, Russia and China are coming closer; they seem to have opened a big front against the United States and the western countries.

In March, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov paid a visit to China. During the visit, he warned that Russia and China must remain united to maintain the modern systems. After that, in June, a virtual conference was held between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The announcement to expand the Friendship Treaty was made during the meeting. After that, both the countries also announced to build a Moon Base in space jointly. The Russian and Chinese Defence Ministers informed about increasing the military cooperation between the two countries during the comprehensive war joint exercises, held during August.

Official and analysts believe that this comprehensive cooperation between these two countries poses a serious challenge for the United States and its European allies. Against this background, the warning issued by the former US NSA to Russia regarding its closeness with China becomes significant. Bolton warned ‘Even Russian security is linked more to the western countries rather than the east. Russia had a big opportunity to develop relations with the western countries after the collapse of Soviet Russia. But Russia did not take that opportunity and now the time has run out.’

Bolton claimed that Russian President Putin has taken the decision to be close to China and no one has pushed him in that direction. The Former US NSA claimed, ’The closeness with China is a blunder on the part of Russia. Russia has a lot of fuel and weapons that could be sold to China. But it could prove to be a bad decision to supply these things to China. The Russian decision to align with China for the remainder of the century will not be in Russian interests.’

Bolton pointed out that the eastern part of Russia could be under threat with this decision to align with China instead of the western countries. Bolton warned that there are huge natural resources in the region towards the east of the Ural Mountains, but the population is sparse. At the same time, China is a country with a vast population and limited natural resources. In this scenario, Russia could lose control over its eastern part.’ He also advised that the Russian policymakers should decide to align with China after considering these facts.

Bolton has issued warnings regarding China, even in the past and has warned that this country could be a threat to the very existence of the western world.