Washington, September 19(HS): President Donald Trump has reiterated that the United States will play a central role in ensuring stability once Russia’s war in Ukraine concludes, though he admitted that brokering peace has proven more difficult than expected.

In an interview with Fox News on Thursday, Trump stressed that Washington would step in to support peace-building measures following a settlement. “After the war is settled, we would help secure the peace. And I think ultimately that will happen,” he said.

The president voiced frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin, acknowledging he had believed his personal rapport with the Kremlin leader would help end the conflict swiftly. “The one I thought was going to be easiest was Russia-Ukraine, because of my relationship with President Putin. So I’m very disappointed,” Trump remarked.

Despite multiple attempts, Trump’s efforts to push Moscow toward a ceasefire have yet to yield results. His August meeting with Putin, billed by the White House as a “peace summit” in Alaska, ended without significant breakthroughs despite overtures of goodwill.

Trump further argued that Europe’s continued reliance on Russian oil remains a stumbling block in pressuring Moscow to compromise. He suggested that if European and NATO states stop purchasing Russian energy, it would force the Kremlin to engage in meaningful peace talks. “If oil prices go down, or if Russia is not selling oil, they have no choice but to settle,” he said.

While timelines remain uncertain, Trump maintained he still sees a resolution to the war as achievable, adding that the U.S. would be ready to guarantee long-term peace once the fighting stops.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar