Trump Calls for Cease-Fire in Russia-Ukraine Conflict
In a significant development on Sunday, Donald Trump urged for an immediate cease-fire amid the ongoing strife between Russia and Ukraine. He reiterated his stance that, if elected president again, he might consider withdrawing the United States from NATO.
Trump’s call for a cease-fire came after his weekend discussions in Paris with leaders from France and Ukraine. In a post on social media, he stated that Ukraine appears eager to negotiate a resolution to the conflict, which has now persisted for over 1,000 days. The Kremlin has expressed a willingness to talk, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy underscored that any agreement should guarantee lasting peace.
On his Truth Social platform, Trump highlighted the tragic loss of life on both sides, asserting that the war “should never have started.”
He emphasized, “An immediate cease-fire is crucial, and discussions must begin. Too many lives are being lost unnecessarily, and countless families are in distress.” Trump called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to take concrete steps to halt the conflict.
This statement followed a constructive meeting between Trump, Zelenskyy, and French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday.
The next day, Zelenskyy took to the Telegram messaging platform to emphasize the need for a “just and robust peace” that Russia would not undermine in the future.
“In our discussions with Russia about effective peace, we must prioritize guarantees for that peace. Ukrainians yearn for peace more than anyone; after all, it was Russia that brought the war to our land,” he stated.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reiterated Russia’s readiness to engage in dialogues with Ukraine, referencing a decree from Zelenskyy issued in October 2022, which declared talks impossible as long as Putin holds power.
This decree came after Putin’s announcement regarding the annexation of four occupied Ukrainian regions, a move condemned by Kyiv and its Western allies as a blatant violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty, even though Russia does not fully control those areas.
Throughout this conflict, Ukraine has consistently maintained that any peace talks must include the complete withdrawal of Russian troops from internationally recognized Ukrainian territory, including Crimea.
In a separate social media update, Zelenskyy reported that Ukraine has endured 43,000 military casualties since the full-scale Russian invasion began on February 24, 2022, with injuries reported at 370,000.
Both sides have been cautious about disclosing official casualty figures. Western officials have indicated that recent months of intense warfare in eastern Ukraine have led to record losses for both Russia and Ukraine, with tens of thousands killed or injured monthly.
Previously, Trump has advocated for a quick cease-fire in Ukraine. His urgent appeal on Sunday prompted immediate reactions from both Ukraine and Russia, reflecting the seriousness with which they view the incoming American president’s position.
The Biden administration and other supporters of Ukraine have been careful not to urge Ukraine into accepting a hasty cease-fire, as they fear it could lead to concessions that favor Russia, enabling it to regroup and potentially resume military actions later.
In a separate interview aired on NBC News that same day, Trump reaffirmed his warning to NATO allies that he does not consider ongoing U.S. involvement in the alliance as a certainty should he return to office.
He has consistently criticized European and Canadian nations for depending on U.S. military spending as the leading power in NATO. NATO officials have noted that many member nations are now meeting voluntary military spending targets, partly due to pressure exerted by Trump during his first term.
When asked in the interview if he might consider a withdrawal from NATO, Trump indicated that the possibility is still on the table.
“If they’re paying their fair share and treating us fairly, I would definitely remain with NATO,” he remarked during “Meet the Press.”
However, he added that if those conditions are not satisfied, he would contemplate withdrawing the U.S. from the alliance, stating, “Absolutely. Yes, absolutely.”
