US President Donald Trump says reaching a peace deal for the war in Ukraine is very close.
Trump made the statement as he was leaving for Italy, where he will attend the funeral ceremony of Pope Francis, and while his envoy, Steve Witkoff, is meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
"Things are going well and I think we will ultimately reach very good deals, including agreements on tariffs and trade ," Trump said.
"We're going to make our country rich, but we're going to try to get it out of war and be able to save 5,000 people a week, that's my goal. I mean, 5,000 young guys. Most of them are Ukrainians, Russians. It's 5,000 young Ukrainian and Russian guys and that would be a great honor if I could do it. I think we're very close," Trump added.
Earlier, in an interview with the prestigious "Times", Trump stressed that Zelensky understands very well that Crimea will remain with Russia. Trump blamed his predecessor for this failure.
"You ask me if Crimea is going to stay with Russia, we're talking about it because it's the only thing being mentioned these days. Crimea is going to stay with Russia. Zelensky understands this very well and everyone understands it because the peninsula has been with the Russians for a very long time. This happened long before Trump came to office. I repeat, this was Obama's war. This was a war that should never have happened ," Trump said.
Trump has also spoken out against the idea of Ukraine joining NATO. NATO membership is even seen as one of the causes of the war that began in 2022. "I don't think Ukraine will ever join NATO. I think that has been known since day one, that is the reason, I believe, for the war to begin. If this issue had not been addressed from the beginning, we would have had a better chance for the region," he added.
Trump also made a "Mea Culpa" when he said that ending the war in 24 hours is an exaggeration. He admitted that this phrase was said for a quick end to the war. In the end, Trump also found time to praise "his favorite", Vladimir Putin, whom he said is the only president who can end the war.