United States President Donald Trump revealed a deeply personal motivation behind his commitment to brokering an end to the Russia-Ukraine war: his desire to achieve salvation in the afterlife.
In an interview on Fox News' "Fox & Friends" on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, Trump stated, "I want to try to get to heaven, if possible." He elaborated that his efforts to prevent further casualties in the ongoing conflict could be a significant factor in his spiritual journey, noting, "If I can save 7,000 people a week from being killed, I think that's a pretty... I want to try to get to heaven if possible, I'm hearing that I'm not doing well." The White House later confirmed the seriousness of the President's remarks, with spokesperson Karoline Leavitt affirming, "I think the president wants to get to heaven, as I hope we all do in this room as well."
This personal spiritual aspiration adds a unique dimension to Trump's long-standing commitment to resolving the protracted conflict. Previously, on November 14, 2024, at a gala for the America First Policy Institute in Florida, Trump had declared his intention to "work very hard on Russia and Ukraine" to bring the war to a halt. He reiterated this urgency on January 22, 2025, by urging Russia to cease hostilities and warning of substantial sanctions should a resolution not be reached promptly.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also expressed hope for Trump's involvement in peace negotiations, emphasizing the critical need for Ukraine's participation in any discussions aimed at achieving a lasting peace. The diplomatic landscape has been active, with Trump hosting Zelenskyy and several European leaders at the White House on August 18, 2025, for high-stakes talks. This meeting followed Trump's summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska the previous week. During these discussions, a key focus has been on potential security guarantees for Ukraine, with European nations signaling a willingness to provide troops and support, and the U.S. potentially offering air support.
As of August 19, 2025, diplomatic efforts are ongoing, with the goal of securing a ceasefire and ultimately ending the nearly three-year-long conflict. The complexities of the peace talks are considerable, with sticking points including potential land swaps and the nature of security assurances. Despite the ongoing fighting, including a significant Russian drone and missile attack on Ukraine on August 19, the diplomatic momentum continues, underscoring the global desire for a resolution to the devastating war.