Trump says he was being ‘bit sarcastic’ when he promised to end Russia-Ukraine war in 24 hours

President Trump admits sarcasm in claiming to solve Russia-Ukraine war in 24 hours, still working on solution.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday (March 14, 2025) that he was “being a little bit sarcastic” when he repeatedly claimed as a candidate that he would have the Russia-Ukraine war solved within 24 hours — and even before he even took office.

Mr. Trump was asked about the vow he repeatedly made on the campaign trail during an interview for the “Full Measure” television programme as his administration is still trying to broker a solution 54 days into his second term.

“Well, I was being a little bit sarcastic when I said that,” Mr. Trump said in a clip released ahead of the episode airing Sunday (March 16, 2025). “What I really mean is I’d like to get it settled and, I’ll, I think, I think I’ll be successful.” It was a rare admission from Mr. Trump, who has a long record of making exaggerated claims.

Mr. Trump said at a CNN town hall in May 2023, “They’re dying, Russians and Ukrainians. I want them to stop dying. And I’ll have that done — I’ll have that done in 24 hours.”

“That is a war that’s dying to be settled. I will get it settled before I even become President,” Mr. Trump said during his September debate with then-Vice President Kamala Harris. “If I win, when I’m President-elect, and what I’ll do is I’ll speak to one, I’ll speak to the other. I’ll get them together.”

The Republican repeated the claim frequently on the campaign trail.

His special envoy, Steve Witkoff, was in Moscow this week for talks on a U.S.-proposed ceasefire, which Ukraine has accepted.