ESPN host Stephen A. Smith has taken a rare stance by publicly praising President Donald Trump for his handling of the Russia-Ukraine negotiations, marking one of the few prominent left-leaning figures to commend the former president’s diplomatic efforts. During an interview on Fox News’ ‘Hannity’, Smith highlighted Trump’s significant role in addressing global conflicts, noting that the president’s willingness to engage in peace talks despite minimal political gains deserves acknowledgment. This statement comes as Russia and Ukraine edge closer to potential peace talks, with Russian President Vladimir Putin agreeing to a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, confirmed the arrangement during Tuesday’s press briefing, suggesting that a trilateral meeting involving the U.S. might follow if necessary. Smith has indicated an interest in running for president in 2028 as a Democrat, and has not been reluctant in defending Trump’s position in the region, attributing the outbreak of the war to prior Democratic administrations. This latest move comes after Smith’s defense of Trump on his podcast, where he shifted the blame from the former president to previous Democratic leaders, including Joe Biden, Barack Obama, and Bill Clinton.