US President Donald Trump has called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to “make a deal” to end the ongoing war in Ukraine, warning of severe consequences should the conflict persist. Speaking in the Oval Office on Thursday, just days after his inauguration as the 47th President of the United States, Trump reiterated his stance on the war, which he described as “ridiculous” and deeply destructive.
“I think he [Putin] should make a deal,” Trump told reporters, adding that he believed Russia might be inclined to negotiate. “From what I hear, Putin would like to see me. And we’ll meet as soon as we can. I’d meet immediately. Soldiers are being killed on the battlefield every day,” he stated.
The president expressed concern over the scale of casualties, calling the war a tragedy comparable to the devastations of World War II. “That battlefield is like no battlefield since World War II… Soldiers are being killed at numbers we haven’t seen in decades. It’s ridiculous. It would be nice to end that war,” Trump remarked, highlighting his urgency for peace talks.
Zelenskyy open to negotiations
Trump also noted that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is prepared to negotiate. “He’s ready to negotiate a deal. He’d like to stop. He’s somebody that lost a lot of soldiers,” Trump explained. The president emphasised the heavy toll the war has taken on both sides, stating, “Russia lost more soldiers—800,000. It’s a terrible number.”
The comments come amid heightened international attention on the escalating conflict, which has left thousands dead and displaced millions of Ukrainians. Trump’s remarks on Thursday follow a statement on Truth Social, his social media platform, where he directly addressed Putin. In his post, Trump urged the Russian leader to settle what he called “this ridiculous war” and warned of punitive economic measures should there be no progress toward peace.
Tough stance on Russia
Trump’s message to Putin was clear: negotiate or face severe economic repercussions. The president outlined a strategy to impose tariffs, taxes, and sanctions on Russian exports to the United States and other allied nations if a ceasefire deal is not reached soon.
“I always had a good relationship with Putin,” Trump wrote in his Truth Social post. “But it’s time to settle this ridiculous war! If there’s no ceasefire deal, I will have no choice but to impose tariffs, taxes, and sanctions on anything being sold by Russia to the United States, and various other participating countries.”
This marks a departure from Trump’s earlier approach to Russia during his first term as president, which was often criticised as conciliatory. Now, as he embarks on his second presidency, Trump has taken a firmer stance, coupling his call for negotiations with a clear warning of economic isolation for Russia.
A war with global implications
The war in Ukraine has had profound geopolitical and economic consequences, not only for the nations involved but also for the broader global community. Energy supplies, food security, and international relations have all been affected, with Western nations rallying behind Ukraine and imposing waves of sanctions on Russia.
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Trump’s remarks have sparked reactions across the political spectrum, with allies commending his proactive approach and critics questioning his ability to broker a deal given his history with Putin. Nevertheless, the president’s emphasis on ending the conflict has resonated with many who are eager for a resolution to one of the world’s most pressing crises.
Hope for diplomacy
While Trump’s plan remains to be fully detailed, his openness to meet with Putin and Zelenskyy signals a potential path toward diplomacy. “It’s a ridiculous war,” he repeated, urging both sides to consider the immense human and economic costs.
The president’s comments indicate his administration’s willingness to play a central role in brokering peace, with Trump positioning himself as a mediator capable of bringing the two leaders to the table. Whether his approach will yield results remains uncertain, but the call for negotiations reflects a growing urgency to end a war that has left a lasting scar on the global stage.
As the conflict drags on, the world watches closely, hoping that Trump’s direct appeals to Putin and Zelenskyy might lay the groundwork for a ceasefire and, ultimately, a lasting peace.
