Former US President Donald Trump has called for an immediate ceasefire and negotiations to end the ongoing war in Ukraine. After meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris, facilitated by French President Emmanuel Macron, Trump expressed optimism about peace talks. In a post online, Trump wrote, “Zelenskyy and Ukraine want to make a deal, and stop the madness,” adding that China could play an important role in negotiating a deal. Trump said he would be able to end the war within 24 hours if re-elected.
Zelenskyy described his discussions with Trump as “constructive” but underscored the necessity of a “just and robust peace.” He emphasized that any agreement with Russia must include effective security guarantees to prevent future aggression. “When we talk about an effective peace with Russia, we must talk first of all about effective peace guarantees,” Zelenskyy said.
With a growing recognition among the Ukrainian leadership that negotiations might become inevitable, fears persist that a ceasefire without strong Western-backed guarantees could be short-lived. Zelenskyy reiterated that Ukraine wants peace more than anyone, but he pointed to the destructive role Russia has played in bringing war onto Ukrainian soil.
He drew links between the wars in Syria and Ukraine, suggesting that the frailty of the state of Russia’s allies-including Iran-could give way to an opening to peace. He said perhaps the removal of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad could provide the key to negotiations for peace in Ukraine.
But in an interview this month, Trump expressed willingness to decrease U.S. aid for Ukraine and to reevaluate America’s relationship with NATO, with an eye toward fairness and the financial contributions of allies. When asked if he had now spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump refused to confirm so as not to harm what could be the start of an agreement.
Meanwhile, in the war-torn frontline regions of Ukraine, children have sent letters to Santa Claus full of hopes for peace and requests for gifts. This year, 2,310 letters have come into the NGO Ukrainian Frontiers through its St. Nicholas’ Reindeers initiative. Requests range from the very practical, such as power banks, to bicycles, books, and even pets, a window into the resilience and hope of Ukraine’s youngest generation.
