On the first day of his second presidency, U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine has put the Kremlin leader in “big trouble.” Trump’s comments came during a discussion in the Oval Office, where he expressed confidence in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s willingness to make peace.
Zelenskyy Open to Negotiations
“Zelenskyy told me he wants to make a deal. I don’t know if Putin does,” Trump said. “He might not. I think he should make a deal. I think he’s destroying Russia by not making a deal.”
Trump highlighted the economic toll of the conflict on Russia, pointing to inflation and economic struggles. “I got along with [Putin] great. I would hope he wants to make a deal,” he added, referencing his past diplomatic relationship with the Russian leader.
A Promised Peace Plan
When pressed about his earlier promise to end the war on his first day in office, Trump quipped, “I have another half of the day left,” before reaffirming his commitment to resolving the conflict soon.
The nearly three-year-long war has reportedly not gone as Putin had expected, with Trump remarking, “He’s grinding it out. Most people thought it would last about one week, and now you’re into three years. It is not making him look good.”
Grim Casualty Estimates
Trump shared stark estimates of the war’s human toll, claiming that nearly a million Russian soldiers have been killed and approximately 700,000 Ukrainian troops have also perished. “Russia’s bigger; they have more soldiers to lose, but that’s no way to run a country,” he added.
These numbers far exceed official figures. While Ukraine has denied Trump’s totals, it has reported over 43,000 soldiers killed and more than 370,000 wounded. Ukrainian estimates suggest Russia lost 150,000 troops in 2024 alone, with over 400,000 wounded.
The Path Forward
With mounting pressure to deliver on his promises, Trump’s remarks set the stage for potential diplomatic efforts to end a war that has reshaped global geopolitics and exacted a heavy toll on both nations.
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