Putin Will ‘Celebrate’ If Trump Is Reelected, Former Trump National Security Adviser John Bolton Says

John Bolton, former United States U.N. ambassador and Donald Trump‘s national security adviser, claimed Russia will “celebrate” if Trump is reelected as president.

Russian President Vladimir Putin previously made comments showing support for current President Joe Biden over Trump.

“Biden, he’s more experienced, more predictable, he’s a politician of the old formation. But we will work with any U.S. leader whom the American people trust,” Putin stated in an interview with Russian media.

Trump responded in a speech during his South Carolina rally, saying it was a “compliment.”

Bolton told MSNBC that Putin’s comment was a way to provoke Trump into making his own comments.

“It’s clear disinformation,” Bolton said. “Putin thinks [Trump] is an easy mark. They will be celebrating in the Kremlin if he gets elected.”

Bolton also warned that “bad actors” could be taking advantage of Trump’s financial distress after his fines of $355 million for business fraud and $83 million for defamation just in the last few weeks.

During his South Carolina rally, Trump told the crowd he would encourage Russia to attack NATO members who “do not pay their dues,” comments also likely to be warmly received in the Kremlin.