In an 19/8 interview with Fox News, former US President Donald Trump said, "I want to stop the Russia-Ukraine war. It's not Americans or American soldiers dying, it's Russians and Ukrainians, mostly soldiers. Some are killed when missiles go to the wrong location or hit cities."
"If I can save 7,000 people a week from dying, that's a good thing. I want to get into heaven, if possible. I've heard things aren't looking good for me," Trump joked. "Apparently, I'm at the bottom. If I could get into heaven, this would be one of the reasons."
During an 19/8 press conference, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt expressed her belief that Trump was serious about his remarks on Ukraine. "President Trump wants to get into heaven. I hope all of us in this room get into heaven, too," she said.
 |
Former US President Donald Trump at the White House on 18/8. Photo: AP |
Former US President Donald Trump at the White House on 18/8. Photo: AP
Trump has previously stated his desire to end the Russia-Ukraine war in an effort to win the Nobel Peace Prize. He claimed to have ended six conflicts, including those between Iran and Israel, Armenia and Azerbaijan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, India and Pakistan, border clashes between Cambodia and Thailand, and tensions between Serbia and Kosovo.
Following an assassination attempt in July 2024, Trump has increasingly presented himself as a religious man. During his inauguration earlier this year, he said, "I was saved by God to make America great again."
In the Fox News interview, Trump also mentioned some form of security guarantee for Ukraine, but didn't elaborate beyond suggesting that Europe might have to shoulder the responsibility. "It can't be NATO, because that will never happen," he said.
Trump also addressed the possibility of Ukraine ceding some territory in a final peace agreement, but noted this would depend on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
"I hope President Putin will do the right thing, otherwise, the situation will become very complicated," Trump said. "I hope President Zelensky will do what's necessary; he also needs to be flexible. Things are very chaotic."
Nguyen Tien (AFP, Hill, AP)
