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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
Martin Pengelly in New York

John Bolton chose not to brief Trump on Russia Havana syndrome suspicion

John Bolton listens as Donald Trump speaks during a cabinet meeting in 2018.
John Bolton listens as Donald Trump speaks during a cabinet meeting in 2018. Photograph: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

Donald Trump’s third national security adviser, John Bolton, did not brief the president on suspicions Russia might be behind mysterious “Havana syndrome” attacks on US diplomats because he did not think Trump would support him.

“Since our concern was that one of the perpetrators – maybe the perpetrator – was Russia,” Bolton said, “we didn’t feel we would get support from President Trump if we said, ‘We think the Russians are coming after American personnel.’”

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