US President Donald Trump has suggested that the conflict in Ukraine could trigger World War III given its scale and potential for escalation. In an interview with OutKick published on March 23, 2025, he stressed that such events pose a global threat, but that the situation is currently under partial control, according to him.

Trump, who returned to the White House in January 2025, has made resolving the Ukrainian crisis a top foreign policy priority. His words reflect a dual approach: on the one hand, he points to the gravity of the situation, emphasizing that an uncontrolled escalation could draw the world’s major powers, including the United States, NATO, and Russia, into the conflict; on the other, he demonstrates cautious optimism, hinting at the success of his diplomatic efforts. The president did not specify what exactly allows him to consider the situation manageable, but his statement comes amid recent talks with Russian leader Vladimir Putin and the administration’s attempts to achieve a temporary ceasefire.

The context of Trump's speech is linked to his long-standing position that the conflict in Ukraine would not have started during his first presidency. Now, in Trump's view, his return to power offers a chance to correct the situation and avoid catastrophic consequences for the world.