Kathrine Frich
U.S. President Donald Trump has surprised both allies and critics with an unusually candid confession about his misjudgment of the war in Ukraine.
It is a rare moment when the president admits he is wrong.
Misjudging the challenge
Addressing the gathered leaders, Trump reflected on his earlier belief that ending the war between Russia and Ukraine would be his simplest foreign policy victory.
“We’ve ended eight conflicts. The only one still unresolved is the war between Russia and Ukraine,” he said.
Trump explained that he once thought peace would come easily due to what he described as his “warm relationship with Putin.”
But events, he conceded, had proven otherwise.
“I thought this would be the easiest, because of my good relationship with President Putin. It turned out, it’s not that simple. But I’m sure it will be done,” he added.
The weight of expectations
Throughout his presidency, Trump has often highlighted what he sees as his record of conflict resolution.
He has repeatedly claimed to have “ended eight wars” during his time in office and has portrayed himself as a dealmaker capable of restoring stability through personal diplomacy.
However, his admission suggests that the ongoing war in Ukraine, a conflict he once said he could stop “in 24 hours”,vhas become a defining test of that reputation.
According to observers, the remark indicates a more sober understanding of the limits of personal ties in global politics, particularly when it comes to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Renewed appeal to Moscow
In his remarks aboard Air Force One, Trump reiterated his confidence that peace is still possible.
“I’ve ended eight wars; the ninth is coming. I believe the Russia-Ukraine war will also be ended,” he told journalists.
Just days earlier, he had publicly urged Putin to halt the invasion he launched against Ukraine, rather than focus on demonstrating Russia’s missile capabilities.
It was a pointed message from a leader who has long prided himself on maintaining cordial relations with Moscow, a stance that has drawn both criticism and curiosity from international observers.
Sources: UNIAN, LA.LV
This article is made and published by Kathrine Frich, who may have used AI in the preparation
