Trump on Ukraine war: I settled eight, this will be nine

President Donald Trump of the United States delivered a strong message of progress during talks in Turkey, signaling that peace in Ukraine is closer than ever after direct conversations with Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky.

“I had a very good talk with President Putin, who by the way has a lot of respect for President Erdogan, a lot of respect for him,” Trump said. “We had a long talk yesterday, it lasted a long time, and I also spoke with President Zelensky right after that. I think they both want to make a deal. It’s too bad it took so long, but I think there’s going to be, something’s going to come out.”

Trump emphasized the mutual desire for an end to the bloodshed. “I had a very good talk with President Putin, I had a very good talk with, I would say it’s a combination,” he continued. “A lot of times I’d do well with Putin and Zelensky would be a problem, or vice versa. Zelensky would be great and Putin would be… They both want to get it settled now. More than, that’s all I do in my life is deals. I know deals. And I think they are going to, I think we’re going to get it settled, hopefully soon.”

Highlighting the human cost that demands action, Trump pointed to staggering recent losses: “Last month, 35,000, mostly soldiers, died. The month before that, it was 24,000. The month before that, it was 27,000. And the month before that, it was 29,000. But last month, it was 35,000 young soldiers, mostly soldiers, died. And that’s crazy.”

Trump made clear his track record and instincts will deliver results where others failed. “You know, I settled eight wars, and I think we’re going to be settling a ninth. It doesn’t seem likely now, but sometimes when, with war, I see when it’s least likely, that’s when it happens.”