KYIV, Ukraine — President-elect Donald Trump made a call for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine on Sunday, shortly after attending a meeting in Paris with the leaders of France and Ukraine. He stated that Kyiv is reportedly interested in reaching an agreement to bring an end to the conflict that has raged for over 1,000 days.

In a post he shared on his Truth Social platform, Trump commented on the heavy toll the war has taken, suggesting that both Moscow and Kyiv have experienced significant military losses, with hundreds of thousands of soldiers killed throughout the duration of the conflict. He emphasized, “This war should never have started,” reiterating his stance that an urgent ceasefire is necessary and negotiations must commence as soon as possible. According to Trump, the ongoing violence has resulted in needless loss of life and devastation for countless families.

His remarks followed a Saturday discussion with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron, which Zelenskyy later characterized as “constructive.” During a press conference that same day, Zelenskyy asserted that any potential peace agreement must be equitable for the Ukrainian people, ensuring that Russia, Putin, or any future aggressors cannot pose a threat again.

Additionally, in a separate update via social media that Sunday, Zelenskyy mentioned that Ukraine has now lost 43,000 soldiers since Russia’s large-scale invasion commenced on February 24, 2022, while approximately 370,000 have sustained injuries during the conflict. Both nations have refrained from releasing official numbers regarding casualties, but Western officials have noted that recent months of intense and grueling warfare in eastern Ukraine have culminated in unprecedented losses for both sides. Tens of thousands have reportedly been killed or wounded each month as the conflict continues to unfold.