Washington, March 23 – U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed confidence in his ability to prevent further escalation of the war between Russia and Ukraine, citing his strong relationships with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as pivotal to ongoing negotiations.
In an interview with Outkick, a platform blending sports and conservative politics, Trump stated, “It would be a great thing to be able to stop it. I will say this, nobody else would have been able to. Nobody. Zero.” The interview took place aboard Air Force One on March 22.
Trump revealed details of recent diplomatic efforts, including a March 18 call with Putin, during which the Russian leader expressed willingness to limit attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure as an initial step. However, Putin stopped short of agreeing to the comprehensive ceasefire sought by the U.S. On March 19, Zelensky agreed in a call with Trump to a mutual halt on strikes targeting energy assets.
Reflecting on his tenure, Trump remarked, “Putin didn’t invade anything when I was president. He took Crimea, and he took Georgia, when Bush was president, when Obama was president, and he’s trying to take the whole thing.” He added, “I don’t think there’s anybody in the world that could’ve stopped him except me, and I think, I hope I’m going to be able to stop him.”
The remarks underscore Trump’s belief in his unique ability to mediate the conflict, even as the situation on the ground remains volatile. Efforts to secure a broader ceasefire continue, with energy infrastructure emerging as a focal point in the negotiations.
