Washington DC [US], March 14: Former US President Donald Trump on Friday shared a message on Truth Social, expressing optimism about the potential end to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. He revealed that he had held “good and productive discussions” with Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which he strongly requested that the lives of Ukrainian soldiers be spared, as thousands of them face imminent danger.
Trump stated, “We had very good and productive discussions with President Vladimir Putin of Russia yesterday, and there is a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end.” He also added, “BUT, AT THIS VERY MOMENT, THOUSANDS OF UKRAINIAN TROOPS ARE COMPLETELY SURROUNDED BY THE RUSSIAN MILITARY, AND IN A VERY BAD AND VULNERABLE POSITION. I have strongly requested to President Putin that their lives be spared. This would be a horrible massacre, one not seen since World War II. God bless them all!!!”
This post follows increasing concerns over the safety of Ukrainian troops, particularly those trapped by Russian forces in ongoing battles. Trump’s comments on sparing their lives highlighted his concern for avoiding a humanitarian disaster.
Earlier in the week, Russian President Vladimir Putin also addressed the possibility of a ceasefire, suggesting that while he was theoretically in favor of a truce, it must come with specific conditions. Putin questioned a US-backed ceasefire proposal and reiterated demands for major concessions from Ukraine. He stressed that any ceasefire should address the root causes of the crisis, implying that the Ukrainian government itself was part of the problem.
Putin also outlined specific terms, such as halting Ukrainian troop mobilization and the cessation of foreign weapon supplies to Kyiv, during the proposed ceasefire. These demands come amid Russian advances in several key areas of combat.
Since Russia’s initial invasion of Ukraine in 2014, and the full-scale invasion in 2022, the war has led to devastating consequences, with millions displaced and thousands killed. Putin’s insistence on Ukraine’s NATO membership being a key issue, along with his demands to limit the military presence of NATO in Eastern and Central Europe, have been central to the conflict.
Trump’s statement reflects his ongoing involvement in international diplomacy, as he continues to express his position on the Ukraine crisis. His calls for dialogue and potential ceasefire initiatives, however, come amidst a broader geopolitical struggle involving major global powers.