US President Donald Trump gave an interview to the Times on the occasion of his 100th day in office, also touching on the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. Here is an excerpt from the interview:
Question: You said you would end the war in Ukraine on your first day in office.
Answer: I said that figuratively; I exaggerated for emphasis. You know, of course, that goes through fake news. Of course, people know I said that jokingly, but I also said it would end.
Question: Why is it taking so long? When do you think this will end?
Answer: This is not going to last long. I’ve only been here for three months. This war has been going on for three years. This war would never have started if I were president. This is Biden’s war, not mine. I have nothing to do with it. Putin would never do this. October 6 or 7 would never have happened. You say, why is it taking so long? The war has been going on for three years. I just got here, and you ask why it takes so long.
Question: Do you think peace is possible if Putin remains the president of Russia?
Answer: Peace is possible. You say if Putin remains. During my presidency, it is possible. If someone else is the president, there is no chance.
Question: Can Putin make peace?
Answer: Yes, I think Putin will do it. He would instead do it differently and take everything. But I’m the only one who can make this deal. We’ve come a long way, had excellent negotiations, and are very close to an agreement. I don’t believe anyone else could have done it.
Question: Do you believe peace is possible if Zelensky remains the president of Ukraine?
Answer: Yes, I think so. He’s the president now, and we’ll make a deal.
Question: Should Ukraine give up on its hopes of joining NATO?
Answer: I don’t think they can ever join NATO. The war started when they started talking about joining NATO. If that issue hadn’t been raised, there probably wouldn’t have been a war.
Question: Should Crimea go to Russia and stay with them?
Answer: Crimea went to Russia. It was given to them by Barack Hussein Obama, not me. Can they take it back? The people in Crimea are mostly Russian-speaking. They had their submarines there a long time ago. If I were president, they wouldn’t have taken Crimea.
Question: Would you agree to incorporate Crimea and four other regions Russia has taken from Ukraine into Russia as part of a final agreement?
Answer: If Crimea remains with Russia, we should only talk about Crimea because Crimea is always mentioned. Crimea will remain Russia’s. Zelensky understands this. Everyone understands that it has been theirs for a long time—long before Trump came. This is Obama’s war that should never have happened. I call this the war that should never have happened.
Question: You have talked about improving relations with Moscow. Are you negotiating with them on issues other than Ukraine?
Answer: No.
Question: For example, about nuclear weapons stockpiles or testing.
Answer: But if a deal is made, we will do business with Ukraine and Russia.
