US President-elect Donald Trump has urged Ukraine and Russia to pursue a peace deal, calling for an immediate ceasefire and negotiations to end the ongoing conflict. Trump made the statement on Sunday via his Truth Social platform following a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris.
In his post, Trump expressed that Ukraine “would like to” reach a peace agreement with Russia and emphasized the importance of halting the conflict. He described the war as one that “should never have started” and warned of dire consequences if it continues unchecked. “If this conflict is not resolved, it can turn into something much bigger, and far worse,” Trump stated.
Highlighting the toll of the war, Trump claimed that Ukraine has suffered the loss of 400,000 soldiers and many civilian lives. He also suggested that Russia is “in a weakened state,” citing heavy casualties and economic challenges. According to Trump, “close to 600,000 Russian soldiers lay wounded or dead” in what he described as a prolonged and costly war for Moscow.
Trump’s remarks followed reports of regime change in Syria, a critical Russian ally in the Middle East. Jihadist forces have reportedly taken control of Damascus, toppling President Bashar Assad’s 24-year rule. Trump speculated that Russia, long seen as Assad’s key protector, had “lost interest in Syria” due to its preoccupation with the war in Ukraine.
“Russia is not interested in protecting [Assad] any longer,” Trump claimed, linking Moscow’s diminished focus in Syria to its struggles in Ukraine.
The President-elect’s statements underscore his position that both Ukraine and Russia should seek a negotiated resolution to prevent further loss of life and avoid the potential for escalation. Trump’s call for peace comes amid heightened global concern over the prolonged conflict and its far-reaching implications.
As Trump prepares to assume office, his remarks signal a possible shift in the United States’ approach to mediating the war in Ukraine, with an emphasis on diplomacy and conflict resolution.
