U.S. President-elect Donald Trump urged an immediate ceasefire and negotiations to end the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, a move met with varied reactions from Kyiv and Moscow.
“Zelensky and Ukraine would like to make a deal and stop the madness,” Trump posted on Truth Social on Sunday, adding that Kyiv had lost some 400,000 soldiers.
“There should be an immediate ceasefire and negotiations should begin. I know Vladimir well. This is his time to act. China can help. The World is waiting!”
These remarks came shortly after Trump’s meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Paris, their first since Trump’s election victory.
The two leaders spoke for about an hour, joined by French President Emmanuel Macron, but details of the discussion were scarce.
The French and Ukrainian accounts described the talks as “good and productive,” but their specifics remain unclear.
Zelenskiy Stresses Peace Guarantees
Responding to Trump’s call, Zelenskiy emphasized that peace required more than just signatures.
“When we talk about effective peace with Russia, we must first and foremost talk about effective guarantees for peace. Ukrainians want peace more than anyone else,” he wrote on X.
He warned that a ceasefire without safeguards could lead to renewed aggression, stating, “It (the war) cannot simply end with a piece of paper and a few signatures.”
Zelenskiy disputed Trump’s figures, stating Ukraine had lost 43,000 soldiers killed and 370,000 wounded.
Kremlin Sets Conditions
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reiterated Russia’s openness to talks, but only under conditions set by President Vladimir Putin.
These include Ukraine rejecting NATO membership and Russia retaining control of four partially occupied Ukrainian regions.
Peskov criticized Zelenskiy’s decree banning talks with Russian leadership, stating it must be revoked for negotiations to proceed.
“Our position on Ukraine is well known,” Peskov said. “It is important to recall that it was Ukraine that refused and continues to refuse negotiations.”