'I thought I had it done': Trump admits Putin ceasefire meeting was a dud in rare admission

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump said he believed he had secured a peace deal during his summit in Alaska with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In a new interview, the 79-year-old shared details about ongoing discussions involving Russia and Ukraine, while repeating his pledge that no American troops will be sent into the conflict.

Trump says Russia-Ukraine war has been 'very difficult'

Speaking with The Daily Caller’s Reagan Reese, Donald Trump said the war was not of his making but one he wanted to resolve.

“We’re talking about a lot of lives. We’re not talking about something that I started. I inherited this war. And all I’m trying to do is put out the flame, you know. And I thought I had it done,” Trump said.

“I did it seven times with other, I did it with wars that were tougher than this in terms of nobody. So three of those wars are going on for more than 30 years, and I got them all done. This war is just, it’s been very difficult. It’s been a difficult war,” Trump added.

Trump feels maybe Russia and Ukraine have to 'fight a little longer'

The interview with Reagan Reese was released on Saturday, August 30, as baseless rumors of Donald Trump's death took social media by storm, with many claiming that the president hadn't been seen in public for days. 

He was later spotted golfing, and Reese confirmed their interview had taken place at the White House the previous afternoon.

“He’s very much alive!” Reese wrote on X (formerly Twitter), posting a photo with Trump.

During the interview, Trump also told Reese that a lasting peace would require a “security guarantee” for Ukraine and Russia, while expressing doubt about whether Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky could resolve matters in direct talks.

Trump described his long relationship with Putin as a reason he believed the summit could have produced results.

“We’ve had a good relationship over the years, very good, actually,” Trump said about Putin. “That’s why I really thought we would have this done. I would have loved to have had it done. Maybe they have to fight a little longer. You know, just keep fighting — stupidly, keep fighting.”

Internet split over Trump’s remarks on Russia-Ukraine peace efforts

Donald Trump’s remarks prompted a wide range of responses online, with some users supportive and others dismissive.

“I would wash our hands of Ukraine and tell the EU it’s their baby now. They’re undermining the peace effort anyway. Zelensky is absolutely no better than Putin,” wrote one user on X.

Another said, “It seems that Zelensky and Europe have a veto power on any Trump decision. It’s clear that Zelensky and Europe continue to veto USA getting out of the war -- hoping that at long last, the USA will go to war with Russia.”

A person remarked, “The fog of war is on the horizon. Putin senses it,” while a supporter called Trump’s explanation “a remarkably good answer.”

Another shared, “Before when Zelenskyy got put in his place in the Oval Office, I discerned: ‘he does NOT want to end the war!’ I can’t speak on Putin because we don’t see much of him. Zelenshyy, he wants the money flow & war to continue! At the end of the day they both must want the same - peace.”

Others pointed to Trump’s earlier promises of a ceasefire that have not materialized.

“Trump promised to end the war before Jan 20. He failed. Trump said on March 21 ‘I believe we’re going to pretty soon have a full ceasefire.’ He’s promised a cease fire many times since & failed,” he 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.