Trump claims Ukraine war is nearing end during Maryland speech announcing $3.7B shipyard

Address in Sparrows Point

US President Donald Trump spoke on Tuesday at an industrial logistics center and commercial port in Sparrows Point, Maryland, where he addressed the ongoing war in Ukraine. Trump told the gathering that his administration is actively working on diplomatic measures to halt the fighting, asserting that a conclusion to the conflict is drawing nearer. He did not present specific terms, timelines, or institutional frameworks for negotiations during the appearance. Trump reiterated his assertion that he had previously brought eight conflicts to an end, adding that the war in Ukraine would also conclude in the near future. He described the mounting casualty counts as absurd while maintaining that progress toward a resolution is moving forward regardless of front-line appearances.

I am working on it. I thought it would be the easiest to end, we ended eight wars and this one will also end soon.

Naval shipyard investment and sanctions

During the Maryland visit, Trump announced that defense technology company Anduril plans to invest $3.7 billion to build a submarine manufacturing shipyard at the Sparrows Point port site. The planned facility is designated to construct vessels for the US Navy. Prior to delivering his formal speech, a reporter asked Trump what direct message he intended to send to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump replied with a concise demand for Russia to end the war. The US president also addressed economic measures, noting that he recently signed new legislation expanding sanctions against Russia. He stated that the United States is prepared to enforce those sanctions if needed, telling reporters that it is time to stop the killing.

United Nations speech and casualty estimates

The remarks in Maryland followed Trump's earlier speech on 22 September 2026 before the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. During that address, Trump stated that approximately 25,000 people, primarily soldiers, are killed each month in Ukraine as the country experiences systematic physical destruction. He asserted at the UN gathering that global security problems cannot be permitted to expand further. Trump told delegates that his representatives are working in close contact with leadership in both Moscow and Kyiv to achieve a settlement. He expressed confidence that an agreement would be reached faster than the public expects because both warring parties have grown exhausted with the conflict.

We are working very closely with the leaders of Russia and Ukraine and we will solve this problem. I think it will happen faster than people imagine. They have had enough.

Diverging assessments from Kyiv

Trump's public statements diverge from battlefield assessments issued on Tuesday by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Zelensky announced that Ukrainian military intelligence obtained information indicating that Russia is actively preparing a massed attack against Ukraine. While Trump asserted that an end to hostilities is approaching quickly, front-line conditions remain strained and reflect continued fighting. The US president did not offer operational specifics or a negotiated peace framework to support his claims during the appearance in Sparrows Point.