Trump reaffirms drive for Russia-Ukraine peace “Something is going to happen”

On September 3, U.S. President Donald Trump said he remains committed to pursuing a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine, even as uncertainty persists over potential face-to-face talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Trump described his stance as “both realistic and optimistic” and said he is closely following how both leaders are navigating the negotiations, Caliber.Az reports per U.S. media.

"I've been watching it, I've been seeing it, and I've been talking about it with President Putin and President Zelenskyy," Trump said in a phone interview. "Something is going to happen, but they are not ready yet. But something is going to happen. We are going to get it done."

His comments come amid continued Russian attacks on Ukraine. Late last month, Russia launched a large-scale drone and missile strike on Kyiv, killing at least 15 people, including four children, according to city officials.

Trump said he was troubled by the casualties but pledged to continue pressing for peace.

"I think we're going to get it all straightened out," he said.

"Frankly, the Russia one, I thought, would have been on the easier side of the ones I've stopped, but it seems to be something that's a little bit more difficult than some of the others," he added.

Earlier on Wednesday, Trump said he had observed Putin at a military parade in Beijing alongside Chinese and North Korean leaders.

"I understand the reason they were doing it, and they were hoping I was watching, and I was watching," Trump said. "My relationship with all of them is very good. We're going to find out how good it is over the next week or two."

Trump also outlined his approach to diplomatic negotiations, which he said involves bringing leaders together in a room to broker agreements in real time, sometimes with his direct guidance, rather than dismissing possibilities beforehand.

"When asked whether he sometimes must 'wait things out,' Mr. Trump replied, 'Well, you have to do that.'

"We've had some very good days, fortunately, and once I get them in a room together, or get them at least speaking together, they seem to work out. We've saved millions of lives."

Ahead of his planned meeting with Putin in Alaska last month, Trump said he aimed merely to “set the table for the next meeting, which should happen shortly.”

Trump has also claimed in recent weeks that he should be credited with ending six or seven wars during his term and suggested he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts. White House officials listed seven conflicts he referenced: Israel-Iran, Rwanda–Democratic Republic of the Congo, Armenia–Azerbaijan, Thailand–Cambodia, India–Pakistan, Egypt–Ethiopia, and Serbia–Kosovo.

Some foreign policy analysts questioned Trump’s claims, arguing that many of the conflicts remain unresolved or were not full-scale wars, and that Trump was not a central figure in the discussions.

Trump allies, however, told CBS News that the president maintains his interventions were crucial in advancing negotiations.

"A lot of times, they're fighting each other for so long," Trump said. "They're fighting each other so long, they don't even think in terms of peace. It just becomes a way of life. And when I get them together, I get the people in the room, and I'm able to convince them. 'Let's go. Let's make peace. It's enough, already. You've lost enough lives.'"

Trump said he is not pursuing the Nobel Peace Prize, with the 2025 recipient expected to be announced next month.

"I have nothing to say about it," he said. "All I can do is put out wars." He added, "I don't seek attention. I just want to save lives."

By Aghakazim Guliyev