- “Crimea will remain with Russia. And Zelensky understands that, and everyone understands that it’s been with them for a long time.” When asked whether he would agree to a peace deal that includes handing over Crimea and the occupied territories to Russia, Trump replied, “We should only be talking about Crimea.”
- On NATO: “I think that’s what triggered the war — when talk of joining NATO began. If that topic hadn’t been raised, there would have been a much greater chance the war wouldn’t have started.”
- On whether peace is possible if Zelensky remains president: “Yes. He’s the president now, and I think we’ll make a deal.”
- On his claim he could end the Russia–Ukraine war in one day: “Well, I said that figuratively, and I said it as an exaggeration to emphasize my point.”
