Speaking during an interview with CBS News’ 60 Minutes on Sunday, Trump expressed confidence that a peace agreement was close, although he did not provide specific details about the possible changes to Ukraine’s territory.
“I think we’re going to have it done and I think it’s going to happen and they’re going to end up with a little bit different shape,” Trump said.
The American president attributed the prolonged negotiations partly to the personal hostility between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
He also defended his approach to the conflict, rejecting suggestions that he had been lenient towards Moscow and insisting that his administration had maintained a tough stance against Russia.
“I believe that that war is going to end and it’s going to end soon, and the only reason it’s going to end is because of me,” Trump said.
“There’s been nobody that’s been tougher on Russia than me,” he added.
Trump also addressed broader issues surrounding the conflict, including Russian oil exports and military assistance to Ukraine. He defended his administration’s policy on Russian oil and explained that military supplies provided to Kyiv were being channelled through European partners, who pay the full cost.
On reports of temporary restrictions on Ukraine’s access to Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service, Trump said he was unaware of who initiated the disruption but noted that the service was eventually restored.
