When President Trump on Sunday promised to end the war between Ukraine and Russia in 24 hours, he said he was “a bit ironic.”
On Sunday's “Full Major,” Trump was pressed by his campaign promise to end the war within a day.
“Well, when I said that, I was a bit sarcasm,” Trump replied. “What I really mean is I want to calm it down and I think I'll succeed.”
During the 2024 presidential election, Trump frequently said that if Americans elected him for a second term, he would “settle” the war in 24 hours.
“If it doesn't work out, we'll have it resolved in 24 hours by Zelensky and Putin,” Trump told Fox News host Sean Hannity nearly two years ago, referring to Ukrainian President Voldymir Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“And then there's a very simple negotiation. But I don't want to tell you what it is because I can't use that negotiation. It doesn't work. But it's a very simple negotiation. I've settled it within a day and it's a peace between them. Now it's a year and a half. It's a long time. I can't imagine something not going to happen,” Trump added at the time. “The key is that the war has to stop now, as Ukraine has been wiped out.”
Since entering the White House almost two months ago, Trump has prioritized efforts to negotiate an end to the war, but the war continues.
In an interview on Sunday, Trump was asked if he was talking to Putin, if he did that in “the last day or a few hours,” and if he “personally” did that.
“Well, I don't want to say that, but we're dealing with him and I think it's going pretty well,” Trump replied.
“It's a very complicated situation. It's a bloody, terrible war. And I think it's going well,” he added.
Trump said Ukrainians agreed to a ceasefire framework, and Russia was optimistic about agreeing to it.
“We have a ceasefire agreement with a Ukrainian group and we are trying to get it with Russia and we think it's OK up until now. We can know a little more on Monday, but that's good to be good,” Trump said.
Regarding Trump's plans, if Putin doesn't agree to a ceasefire, Trump said “bad news for this world as so many people are dying.”
“But I think he'll agree. I really do. I think I know him pretty well and I think he'll agree,” Trump added.
