Meeting the moment: Trump calls for ceasefire in Ukraine, cites Russia’s “weakened state” after Assad’s fall

President-elect Donald Trump urged Russia to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine, pointing to Moscow’s fragile position following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria.

Trump, 78, took to Truth Social on Sunday to advocate for immediate talks, warning of catastrophic consequences if the conflict continues unchecked.

“There should be an immediate ceasefire and negotiations should begin. 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,” Trump wrote. “I know Vladimir [Putin] well. This is his time to act. China can help. The World is waiting!”

A Weakened Russia and Shifting Dynamics

Trump’s comments came after Assad reportedly fled Damascus amidst a rebel offensive, leaving his regime in ruins. Moscow, a staunch ally of Assad, had heavily invested in propping up his government with troops, aircraft, and naval support.

“Assad is gone. He has fled his country,” Trump remarked. “Russia lost interest in Syria because of Ukraine, where close to 600,000 of its soldiers are wounded or dead in a war that should never have started.”

Trump suggested that Russia’s weakened state, exacerbated by economic struggles and its prolonged conflict in Ukraine, presents a unique opportunity for negotiations. He also pointed to Iran’s vulnerabilities, with its proxy forces battered by Israeli strikes, as another factor destabilizing the region.

Meetings with Zelensky and Macron

The president-elect met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron during the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on Saturday. The trio discussed potential pathways to peace, with Zelensky advocating for “a just and enduring peace.”

“Likewise, Zelenskyy and Ukraine would like to make a deal and stop the madness. They have ridiculously lost 400,000 soldiers, and many more civilians,” Trump added.

Zelensky, 46, appeared to soften his previous demands for a full return to 1991 borders, opening the door to resolving territorial disputes diplomatically if Ukraine could secure NATO membership.

Syria’s Collapse Adds Urgency

The collapse of Assad’s regime has intensified calls for de-escalation in Ukraine. Syrian rebels, led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), toppled the government after a renewed offensive capitalized on Russia’s preoccupation with Ukraine and Iran’s weakened proxies.

HTS, known for its ties to Islamic extremism, stormed Damascus and claimed victory as Assad’s forces faltered. Trump had previously urged the U.S. to avoid involvement in Syria’s complex conflict, emphasizing that the focus should remain on ending the war in Ukraine.

Next Steps Amid High Stakes

As global tensions mount, Trump’s overture to Putin comes alongside new U.S. military assistance for Ukraine. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced a $1 billion aid package Saturday, signaling continued support for Kyiv.

Meanwhile, Trump’s call for negotiations has drawn mixed reactions, with some analysts speculating that Moscow is looking to secure territorial gains ahead of the incoming administration. For now, the world waits to see whether Trump’s efforts to broker peace will gain traction—or whether the war in Ukraine will spiral further out of control.