Trump tells Mark Levin he’s optimistic on ending Russia–Ukraine conflict: ‘I love stopping the wars'

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump told conservative radio host Mark Levin on Tuesday, August 19, that he remained optimistic about ending the war between Russia and Ukraine, describing peacemaking as his instinct rather than a process.

Trump, who has recently claimed credit for resolving multiple international conflicts, said his approach relies on dealmaking skills honed over his career. “I like doing it, I love stopping the wars,” he said.

Trump optimistic on Russia–Ukraine peace talks

Trump said progress toward peace in Eastern Europe had been challenging, citing false allegations of Russian collusion during his first term as a distraction.

Following meetings last week with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska and with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders on Monday, August 18, Trump said: “We’re going to try and stop it, and I think we have a good shot.” He suggested a bilateral meeting between Putin and Zelensky “without me” might be productive. 

Trump traced the roots of the conflict to Barack Obama administration’s response to Russia’s annexation of Crimea. He argued that Putin refrained from further aggression during his own presidency, “by the Russian leader’s own admission.”

Trump jokes peace may earn him a place in heaven

In a separate appearance on Fox News’ 'Fox & Friends,' Donald Trump tied his peace efforts to personal faith, joking about his standing in the afterlife. “I want to try and get to heaven if possible. I hear I'm not doing well, really at the bottom of the totem pole! But if I can get to heaven, this will be one of the reasons,” he said.

He framed the war in stark humanitarian terms: “If I can save 7,000 people a week from being killed, I think that's pretty. We are not losing American lives. We are not losing American soldiers. But you know, we are losing Russian and Ukrainian, mostly soldiers, some people, as missiles hit wrong spots or get lobbed into cities like Kiev and towns.” 

Trump compared his current peace push to what he called his intervention in an India-Pakistan standoff: “I think I saved a lot of lives with India, Pakistan. They were going at it. There was the planes were being shot down. That was going to be maybe a nuclear war if I let that go, and I did that through trade.” India denied any mediation, saying the ceasefire resulted from direct military engagement.

The president has also openly said that a Russia–Ukraine peace deal could help him land a Nobel Peace Prize. Since surviving an assassination attempt last year, Trump has leaned more heavily into religion, declaring at his January inauguration: “I had been saved by God to make America great again.”

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended Trump’s remarks, telling reporters: “I think the president wants to get to heaven, as I hope we all do in this room.” The 27-year-old aide is known for holding prayer sessions before her briefings.

Trump's claim of multiple peace deals

Trump highlighted that earlier this month he had brokered a peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan and said he had also eased tensions between Thailand and Cambodia.

He counted six conflicts resolved in his first seven months back in office, including one he described as “little known.” “Do you know how many people I’ve saved?” he asked Levin. “I’ve saved, like, hundreds of thousands, and even millions of people. That’s a good feeling.”

The president also described his cooperation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to secure the release of some hostages held by Hamas, though 50 remain captive.

Trump commended American pilots for striking Iran’s nuclear facilities but warned that Israel may still need to “fight like hell” to free the remaining hostages.

Reflecting on his return to the White House, Trump said his current presidency is having more impact than a second consecutive term would have had. “This term … is far more powerful, and I think far more important than the second term could have been,” he told Levin.