Zelenskyy wants a deal with Russia to "stop the madness" – Trump

He shared this on the Truth Social platform.

"Zelenskyy and Ukraine would like to make a deal and stop the madness," the post reads.

Trump further claimed that Ukraine has "ridiculously lost 400,000 soldiers" in the war with Russia and described civilian losses as even higher. According to him, immediate ceasefire and negotiations are necessary.

"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. I know Vladimir well. This is his time to act. China can help. The World is waiting!" Trump emphasized.

He also remarked that Russia and Iran are now significantly weakened — "one because of Ukraine and a bad economy, the other because of Israel and its fighting success."

In addition, following reports from Syrian rebels announcing the capture of Damascus and the fall of the dictatorship, Trump declared that Bashar Assad is no more and has fled Syria. He claimed that Russia is no longer interested in supporting its Syrian ally.

"They lost all interest in Syria because of Ukraine, where close to 600,000 Russian soldiers lay wounded or dead, in a war that should never have started, and could go on forever," the newly elected U.S. leader said.

• For context, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy recently met with Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron. Zelenskyy described his conversation with Trump as "good and productive." The leaders discussed the battlefield situation and the pursuit of a just peace for Ukraine. Zelenskyy noted, "We all want to end this war as quickly and fairly as possible."