Former President Donald Trump acknowledged on Friday that his claim of resolving the Russia-Ukraine war within 24 hours was meant to be “a little bit sarcastic.”

During an interview for the television program Full Measure, Trump was questioned about the pledge he had repeatedly made during his campaign. At the time, he insisted he could broker peace between Russia and Ukraine even before taking office.

“Well, I was being a little bit sarcastic when I said that," Trump explained in a preview clip ahead of the episode’s airing on Sunday. “What I really mean is that I want to see it settled, and I think I’ll be successful.”

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This marks a rare acknowledgment from Trump, who is known for making bold claims.

During a CNN town hall in May 2023, Trump had stated, “They’re dying, Russians and Ukrainians. I want them to stop dying. And I’ll have that done — I’ll have that done in 24 hours.”

Similarly, in a September debate with then-Vice President Kamala Harris, he declared, “That is a war that’s dying to be settled. I will get it settled before I even become president. If I win, when I’m president-elect, I’ll speak to one, I’ll speak to the other, and I’ll bring them together.”

Trump frequently repeated this assertion while campaigning.

Meanwhile, his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, was in Moscow this week for discussions on a U.S.-proposed ceasefire, which Ukraine has accepted.

When asked in the interview how he would proceed if Russian President Vladimir Putin refused a ceasefire, Trump responded-

“That would be bad news for the world because so many people are dying. But I think, I think he’s going to agree. I really do. I think I know him pretty well, and I think he’s going to agree.”