LONDON DAILY ARCHIVE
Trump Recognizes Partial Advances in Ceasefire Attempts in Ukraine Conflict
President-Elect Trump Calls for an End to the 'Carnage' in Ukraine and Talks About Diplomatic Efforts
17 December 2024 · 01:41 UTC
He stressed the urgency of ending the hostilities, expressing a cautious optimism about the progress towards a ceasefire.
During his first press conference since his election victory in November, Trump highlighted the severity of the situation, citing an unprecedented level of violence and loss of life.
He stated, 'People are being killed at levels that nobody’s ever seen,' referencing the once-flat landscapes of Ukraine now torn by conflict.
Trump noted that the actual death toll likely exceeds the figures reported by Kyiv and Moscow.
He promised that his administration would engage with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to seek a resolution.
Trump's transition team has been formulating a strategy to facilitate negotiations between the two countries, acknowledging that compromises might be required.
While mentioning Kyiv's aspirations for territorial integrity, Trump remarked on the extensive destruction of many Ukrainian cities, indicating the difficult realities both sides confront.
In a controversial statement, Trump claimed 'four years ago we had no wars,' overlooking Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and subsequent involvement in Eastern Ukraine during his presidency.
Despite this omission, he was the first U.S. president to provide Ukraine with armaments.
During the conference, Trump also referenced his previous decision to launch missiles at Syria.
Notably, while discussing the Ukraine situation, Trump avoided directly condemning Russia's invasion and remained vague about whether he had communicated with Putin.
However, he did note that President Zelenskyy expressed a desire for peace.
'We’d like to get them to stop in Ukraine and Ukraine to stop also,' Trump emphasized, highlighting the shared goal of concluding the conflict.