President-elect Donald Trump urged Russia to consider a ceasefire with Ukraine after the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, saying Moscow is in a “weakened state.”
“There should be an immediate ceasefire and negotiations should begin,” Mr. Trump posted early Sunday on Truth Social. “Too many lives are being so needlessly wasted, too many families destroyed, and if it keeps going, it can turn into something much bigger, and far worse.”
“I know [Russian President] Vladimir [Putin] well. This is his time to act. China can help. The World is waiting!” the president-elect posted.
Syrian President Bashar Assad fled Syria Sunday, and the government fell as rebels took Damascus.
“Assad is gone. He has fled his country. His protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer,” Mr. Trump posted. “They lost all interest in Syria because of Ukraine, where close to 600,000 Russian soldiers lay wounded or dread, in a war that should never have started, and could go on forever.”
He said Russia and Iran are in a “weakened state” due to ”Ukraine and its bad economy, the other because of Israel and its fighting success.”
“Likewise, [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelenskyy and Ukraine would like to make a deal and stop the madness,” he posted. “They have ridiculously lost 400,000 soldiers, and many more civilians.”
Mr. Trump met Saturday with Mr. Zelenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, where they talked about the Russia-Ukraine war.
The Kremlin has said it is ready to negotiate Russia’s terms for ending the conflict; however, it is not ready for a ceasefire.
Mr. Trump has long said that he can end the war in one day if he is elected again; however, Russian officials have said that is not possible.
• Mallory Wilson can be reached at mwilson@washingtontimes.com.
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