Several months after stating that he could end Russia’s war against Ukraine in 24 hours, former President Donald Trump has now provided an explanation for why he believes achieving this would be straightforward for him.
In an interview with Fox News host Maria Bartiromo on the program “Sunday Morning Futures” this past weekend, Mr. Trump was asked to provide details regarding his specific plan to conclude the war.
Mr. Trump stated that ending the war would depend on utilizing his existing relationships with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Mr. Trump stated, “I know Zelensky very well, I know Putin very well—even better—and I had a very good relationship with both of them.”
He said he would tell Mr. Zelensky, “No more, you gotta make a deal,” and tell Mr. Putin, “If you don’t make a deal, we’re gonna give them a lot. We’re gonna give more than they ever got.”
Mr. Trump also described Mr. Zelensky as “very honorable” because when asked about the phone call with Mr. Trump, Mr. Zelensky said he did not understand what was being referred to.
The “perfect phone call” refers to the July 25, 2019 conversation between Mr. Trump and Mr. Zelensky. According to a whistleblower complaint, during this call Mr. Trump proposed a “quid pro quo” agreement to pressure Mr. Zelensky to promote unsubstantiated theories about Mr. Trump’s 2020 Democratic opponent Joe Biden, in return for United States assistance.
This interaction led to accusations that Mr. Trump abused his power, resulting in his first impeachment trial.
Mr. Trump has frequently stated that he would be the most capable person to help conclude the war in Ukraine.
In a May interview, Mr. Trump remarked, “If I were president, and I say this, I will end that war in one day, it would take 24 hours, I know Zelensky well, I know Putin well. I would get that ended in a period of 24 hours. It would be easy, that deal would be easy.”
