Trump Says 'Ukraine War Will End Within 24 Hours'... Later Claims It Was 'Sarcastic Expression'

U.S. President Donald Trump has said that his statement about 'ending the Ukraine war within 24 hours' during last year's election campaign was a "sarcastic expression."

In a pre-released interview with the TV program Full Measure on the 15th (local time), Trump responded this way when asked about the comparison between his campaign promises and the current situation where a solution to the Ukraine war has still not been found after his inauguration.

Trump said, "To be honest, when I said that (ending the war within 24 hours), I was using a somewhat sarcastic expression," adding, "What I really meant was that I want to resolve this issue, and I think I will succeed."

Although President Trump had a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin after his inauguration in January, held high-level talks with Russia in Saudi Arabia, and also had a summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukraine war is still ongoing.

However, the United States recently agreed to a 30-day ceasefire in talks with Ukraine. President Putin, while supporting the ceasefire, stated that there are "many questions" about it and said he would discuss the details with the United States. Currently, U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff is visiting Russia and is expected to meet with President Putin.

Lee Song-ryeol, Hankyung.com reporter yisr0203@hankyung.com