04.12.2025 11:36
U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the second phase of the peace plan prepared for Gaza will be implemented shortly, adding that peace in the Middle East is "generally progressing well." Trump also claimed that Putin wants the Russia-Ukraine war to come to an end.
US President Donald Trump made statements regarding current issues at a press conference held at the White House. Responding to a question about how the meeting between Middle East Special Representative Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss a peace plan in Ukraine went yesterday, Trump said, "I can tell you this: They had a very good meeting with President Putin. We will see." Reiterating that the Russia-Ukraine war should never have started, Trump stated, "If I were president; which was a rigged election; this war would never have happened. It's really a terrible situation. But I think they had a very good meeting with President Putin yesterday. Let's see what happens."
"IT TAKES TWO TO TANGO" Recalling that there were appropriate times to end the Russia-Ukraine war but the parties could not reach an agreement, Trump said, "Right now, there are many factors against the countries. Still, President Putin had a very good meeting with Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff yesterday. I can't say what will come out of that meeting; because it takes two to tango." Trump mentioned that they clarified many issues with the Ukrainian side, stating, "Given the current conditions, they are quite pleased. But the sad part is, if I were president, the war would never have started. They would have 100% of their land. Nothing would have happened. This is really a painful picture."
“THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR IS NOT A COST ISSUE FOR US” Emphasizing that 27,000 people, equivalent to about half a stadium, have died in the war last month, Trump said, "Most of them are young soldiers. This is just the number of those who lost their lives in one month. The only reason I am involved in this issue is this." Stating that the US is not spending money on this war and is even generating income by selling weapons to NATO, Trump said, "We are not being robbed like during the Biden era. Biden was giving away everything we had; all missiles, everything was distributed for free or through nonsensical arrangements. He didn't know what he was doing. Now countries are buying from us at full price through NATO, NATO pays, and then distributes. So this is not a cost issue for us. I can speak on behalf of everyone behind me, politicians and good people from the automotive sector. No one wants 27,000 people to die for no reason. The only reason I am trying to help is this."
“I ONLY TOLD MADURO A FEW THINGS, WE WILL SEE THE RESULT” In response to a question about the tension with Venezuela, Trump stated that the US's stance is much more than a pressure campaign. Noting that he had a brief phone conversation with Maduro, Trump said, "I only said a few things. We will see how this turns out." Reiterating the claim that Venezuela sends drugs and people who should not be sent to the US, Trump stated, "They emptied their prisons and sent (the convicts) to our country. They sent us murderers, murder suspects. They sent the highest-level drug dealers. They sent gang members. They even sent people from mental hospitals; they emptied their institutions and sent them to our country." Trump argued that other countries do this as well, saying, "Because the people who ran the US were stupid. There were probably some fools, and some smart ones, but they were also bad people. Because not all of them can be stupid. It's not possible to cheat in elections and still be stupid." In response to another question, Trump also stated that he had only spoken to Maduro once.
“PUTIN WANTS TO REACH AN AGREEMENT” When reminded of Witkoff's meeting, Trump was asked whether Putin wants peace, to which he replied, "The impression they (Witkoff and Kushner) got was that Putin wanted the war to end. Of course, how true that is will be shown in time, but that was the strong feeling they got: He wants the war to end." Trump expressed that he thinks Putin wants to normalize his country, stating, "To be frank, he would prefer to trade with the US rather than lose thousands of soldiers a week. But their impression was very clear: (Putin) wants to reach an agreement. Let's see how the process develops."
TRUMP SIGNALS GROUND OPERATIONS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUG CARTELS In response to a question about the allegations that those who survived attacks on boats allegedly involved in drug trafficking were not left alive, Trump addressed whether the responsible parties would be punished if this is confirmed. Reminding that the attacks are part of the war on drugs, Trump stated, "These cartels have killed millions of our people. Just last year, about 300,000 people died due to drugs. I’m not even talking about families. Have you seen what families who are trying to save their children from the poison given to them go through?" He noted that there is very strong public support for the destruction of boats belonging to drug cartels, stating, "And we will soon start doing this on land as well; because we know all the routes. We know every house. We know where they produce this filth. We know where they gather everything. You will see examples of this on land very soon." In response to the question, "So do you support the decision to kill those who survived the attacks?" he replied, "No, I support the decision to destroy the boats. Whoever is using those boats, most of whom are no longer around, is guilty for trying to kill people in our country."
“PEACE IN GAZA IS GENERALLY PROGRESSING WELL” In response to the question, "When do you expect the second phase of the Gaza peace plan to be implemented?" Trump said, "It's progressing very well.
Today, I heard that some people were seriously injured as a result of a bomb explosion, and there are likely some fatalities as well. This was just communicated to me. But the process is generally going well. We have achieved peace in the Middle East; most people are not aware of this. There is strong support from 59 countries. The support is really very high. The second phase is also progressing and will be implemented very soon," he said.