US President-elect Donald Trump has urged for an immediate cessation of hostilities and for Ukraine and Russia to engage in negotiations to put an end to “the madness,” which prompted Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky to assert that peace cannot be achieved without assurances, reports RTE.
Mr. Trump made his remarks just hours after his first in-person meeting with Mr. Zelensky in Paris since winning last month’s US election.
He has pledged to facilitate a negotiated resolution to the conflict, but has yet to outline specific details.
“Zelensky and Ukraine are eager to reach an agreement and halt the madness,” Mr. Trump posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, noting that Kyiv had suffered losses of approximately 400,000 soldiers. “An immediate ceasefire is essential, and negotiations must commence,” reports RTE.
“I am familiar with Vladimir. This is his moment to respond. China can assist. The world is awaiting!” Mr. Trump continued, referencing Russian President Putin.
While in Paris for the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral, Mr. Trump met with Mr. Zelensky for about an hour, alongside host French President Emmanuel Macron.
Mr. Trump and Mr. Zelensky exchanged handshakes and smiles, but the specifics of their conversation remain uncertain. Reports from both the French and Ukrainian sides only indicated that the talks were positive and productive, reports RTE.
In response to Mr. Trump’s statement, Mr. Zelensky emphasized that peace cannot be reduced to a mere document but must come with guarantees.
“When we discuss a prosperous peace with Russia, it is crucial to first focus on solid assurances for peace. Ukrainians desire peace more than anyone else,” he expressed on X.
“The conflict cannot merely conclude with a signed agreement. A ceasefire lacking guarantees can be reignited at any moment, just as Putin has previously demonstrated, reports RTE.
“To ensure that Ukrainians no longer endure losses, we must guarantee the dependability of peace and not ignore the issue of occupation.”
It seems that Mr. Trump’s estimate of 400,000 Ukrainian soldiers lost in the conflict refers to both fatalities and injuries. Mr. Zelensky reported that 43,000 soldiers had lost their lives in the war and that 370,000 had been injured, reports RTE.
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.
