Trump Calls Ukraine War His “Toughest” Peacekeeping Challenge
Former U.S. President Donald Trump described the war in Ukraine as the most difficult peacekeeping challenge he has faced. In an interview with American radio station 77 WABC, Trump said the duration of the conflict largely depends on the personal dynamics between the leaders of Ukraine and Russia, which he characterized as “full of hatred.”
Personal Rivalries Complicate Peace
Trump explained that he had initially expected the conflict to be relatively easy to resolve, given his good relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, he said that each time progress seemed possible, setbacks would occur. According to Trump, the primary obstacle to ending the war is the animosity between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“There’s a lot of hatred between him and Zelensky, as you know—a lot of bad blood, a lot of spilled blood,” Trump said, emphasizing how personal grudges make negotiations extremely difficult.
Human Cost and Peace Efforts
Trump also highlighted the heavy losses Ukraine is facing, estimating 5,000–7,000 casualties weekly, mostly soldiers. He called these numbers “horrifying” and stressed that “young people shouldn’t be dying.”
Reflecting on his presidential experience, Trump noted that he had successfully resolved seven wars, some lasting over 30 years, and expressed confidence that he could eventually end the conflict in Ukraine. Yet, he acknowledged that this situation has proven far more complicated than he initially anticipated.
