On August 19, 2025, sports commentator and media personality Stephen A. Smith took to the airwaves with some pointed criticism of President Donald Trump’s recent diplomatic efforts regarding the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. Appearing on NewsNation’s “CUOMO,” Smith did not mince words about what he saw as the president’s failure to deliver on his bold campaign promises to end the conflict swiftly.
Smith’s remarks followed a whirlwind week for President Trump, who had met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on August 15, 2025, and then with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House three days later. These high-profile meetings were billed by the Trump administration as significant steps toward peace in Eastern Europe, but Smith, along with many observers, saw little evidence of real progress.
“The reality is, and excuse my language, he opened his mouth and deposited checks his a** can’t cash. That’s really what it comes down to,” Smith said during his appearance on “CUOMO,” according to NewsNation. He was referring to Trump’s repeated claims on the campaign trail that he could end the Russia-Ukraine war “in one day” if re-elected. Smith acknowledged that such statements were likely hyperbole, but he argued that the president’s rhetoric had set expectations sky-high, only to be followed by disappointing results.
“You got to be able to end this war. You talked a lot of stuff about ending this war and how you would end it in one day. Now, we recognize that that’s hyperbole. We understand that something like that is not going to end in one day,” Smith continued. “But the flip side is that he was proclaiming that he had such a relationship, you know, with the president of Russia, Vladimir Putin, that you know what he could get him to do, what others couldn’t do.”
Smith’s frustration centered on the lack of an imminent ceasefire deal and what he saw as Trump’s failure to follow through on his insistence that there would be consequences for Russia if hostilities were not curbed. Before the Alaska summit, Trump had promised either a ceasefire or “severe consequences” for Russia. Yet, as Smith pointed out, the aftermath of the meeting brought no such agreement.
“What I care about is the fact that you promised a ceasefire or severe consequences before the meeting, and in the immediate aftermath of a meeting, there was no ceasefire agreement,” Smith told anchor Chris Cuomo. “And a matter of fact, you seem damn near friendly towards him, acting like the meeting was productive. Well, where’s the evidence? We don’t see any.”
Smith underscored the risks of these diplomatic shortcomings. “As of yet, there hasn’t been a ceasefire that’s been achieved … it’s going to take some time to accomplish that. We understand that too, but in the time that it takes to accomplish that, what is Putin going to do? Chances are he’s going to bomb Ukraine even more, so chances are he’s going to try to gain more territory,” Smith said. “He’s going to continue to kill more Ukrainians. That’s the likelihood.”
He went on to argue that the summit had served Putin’s interests more than America’s or Ukraine’s. “Putin got a photo-op, he got a chance to be on American soil, and he avoided to agree to a ceasefire or anything else,” Smith said. “So it was a pretty damn good day for Putin as far as we can tell, good day for an authoritarian leader.”
Smith’s remarks were picked up and discussed across the media landscape, including during a Fox News segment on August 19, 2025. According to Fox News, Smith also commented that Trump did not cause the Russia-Ukraine war, instead placing blame on previous administrations led by Joe Biden, Barack Obama, and Hillary Clinton. This segment aired as part of the channel’s regular programming, including “The Will Cain Show” and “The Five,” reflecting the ongoing national debate over responsibility for the conflict and the effectiveness of American diplomacy.
The criticism of Trump’s approach wasn’t just about the lack of a ceasefire. Smith highlighted what he perceived as misplaced priorities in American political discourse. During the August 18 meeting at the White House, President Zelenskyy was jokingly congratulated for wearing a suit—a lighthearted jab referencing previous criticism of his attire during earlier visits. Smith saw this as symptomatic of a broader issue.
“We care more about us than we give a damn about people who are dying in Ukraine, some of us anyway,” Smith said, as reported by NewsNation. “You’re more concerned about what this man is wearing, as opposed to what he’s experiencing on a day-to-day basis because of a war that was instigated by Russia. And when you ignore what’s going on in his nation, to focus on something so frivolous, so trivial, it’s a problem.”
Smith argued that such interactions showcased “where [America’s] priorities lie” and that, as a nation, Americans too often forget the suffering endured by Ukrainians as a result of Russia’s invasion. His comments echoed a sentiment that has surfaced repeatedly throughout the conflict: that the human cost of the war can get lost amid political theater and campaign posturing.
Throughout his appearance, Smith’s tone was one of exasperation with the status quo. He acknowledged that diplomatic solutions take time but insisted that strong words must be matched by equally strong actions. “You talked a lot of stuff about ending this war and how you would end it in one day,” he said. “Now, we recognize that that’s hyperbole. We understand that something like that is not going to end in one day.” Yet, Smith made clear that, in his view, the gap between Trump’s promises and the reality on the ground was simply too wide to ignore.
His remarks come at a time when the Russia-Ukraine conflict remains one of the world’s most urgent crises, with no end in sight. The war, instigated by Russia’s invasion, has resulted in thousands of deaths and displaced millions, drawing condemnation and concern from leaders around the globe. Despite repeated attempts at diplomacy and a rotating cast of international mediators, a durable peace has remained elusive.
Smith’s commentary, while pointed, reflects a broader frustration among many Americans and international observers who are eager for an end to the bloodshed but skeptical of easy answers. The expectation that a single summit or a strong personality could resolve such a complex conflict overnight was always a long shot. Yet, as Smith argued, leaders must be held accountable for the promises they make—especially when the stakes are so high.
As the world watches for the next move from Washington, Moscow, and Kyiv, the challenge of securing peace in Ukraine remains as daunting as ever. For now, Smith’s words serve as a reminder of the gap between rhetoric and results—and of the real human suffering that continues while leaders search for solutions.
