Former President Donald Trump disclosed the significant influence of his conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the delay of the invasion of Ukraine. In an exclusive interview with Fox News’ “Special Report,” Trump shared details of their discussion, shedding light on the role it played during his time in office.
During the interview, Trump highlighted the strength of his relationship with Putin, stating, “I have a very good relationship with Putin. Although we haven’t spoken in a while, our bond was strong.” This relationship formed the foundation for their conversation regarding the conflict in Ukraine.
Trump emphasized that he conveyed to Putin the catastrophic consequences and severe repercussions an invasion would bring. He firmly believed that his words had a substantial impact on preventing the invasion while he was serving as president.
Reflecting on his conversation with Putin, Trump explained, “I thought he might consider it, but I talked to him directly. I made it clear that there would be hell to pay and it would be a catastrophe. I urged him not to take that path.”
Initially skeptical of Trump’s resolve, Putin pushed back, saying, “No, no, no, you will not do that.” However, Trump stood his ground, asserting, “I will, Vladimir, I will do it. I’m going to do it.” This determination eventually convinced Putin to reconsider his plans.
Trump acknowledged that while Putin may have only believed about 10% of what he said, that small fraction was enough to dissuade the invasion. He remarked, “It was only after I left office that you started hearing about this.” This revelation underscores the potential impact of Trump’s diplomatic efforts on the conflict in Ukraine.
When asked about Ukraine’s independence, Trump affirmed its separate status from Russia. However, he acknowledged that the two countries had previously been part of the same nation, and Putin had favored this arrangement.
While Trump refrained from discussing specific negotiation details, such as Russia’s control of Crimea, he expressed confidence in his ability to negotiate a resolution within 24 hours. Drawing upon his experience as a successful dealmaker, he stated, “I became very rich by doing deals. Much more than people understand. And that’s what I do.”
Trump believed that by bringing Zelenskyy and Putin together and reiterating his position, a swift agreement could be reached, putting an end to the suffering in Ukraine.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has now surpassed 480 days, and Trump’s revelation sheds light on the potential impact of his diplomatic efforts during his presidency.
Stay tuned for further developments on this evolving situation.
Source Fox News