U.S. President Donald Trump has made a striking claim, stating that “millions of people” have perished in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war—a conflict he insists would never have occurred had he remained in office.
In a dramatic assertion, Trump vowed to bring the war to an immediate halt, following what he described as a “lengthy and highly productive” conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Revealing details of the call, Trump noted that he and Putin engaged in discussions covering a broad spectrum of topics, including the war in Ukraine, energy, artificial intelligence, and the global financial system.
“We discussed Ukraine, the Middle East, Energy, Artificial Intelligence, the power of the Dollar, and various other subjects,” Trump disclosed.
Tapping into historical narratives, Trump highlighted the past alliance between the United States and Russia during World War II, underscoring the sacrifices made by both nations.
“We both reflected on the great history of our nations and the fact that we fought successfully together in World War II, remembering that Russia lost tens of millions of people, and we, likewise, lost so many,” he remarked.
According to Trump, both he and Putin acknowledged the need for an urgent ceasefire.
“But first, as we both agreed, we want to stop the millions of deaths taking place in the war between Russia and Ukraine,” he emphasized.
Trump also claimed that Putin borrowed his campaign slogan, ‘COMMON SENSE,’ as a shared principle for their discussions.
In a move that signals Trump’s intent to broker peace, he revealed plans to initiate direct talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“We will begin by calling President Zelenskyy of Ukraine to inform him of the conversation, something which I will be doing right now,” he declared.
To reinforce his commitment, Trump announced that he had assigned key figures—including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff—to lead the negotiations.
“I feel strongly that we will be successful,” he affirmed.
Beyond diplomatic talks, Trump also took the opportunity to thank Putin for facilitating the release of Marc Fogel, an American recently freed from Russian detention.
“I want to thank President Putin for his time and effort with respect to this call, and for the release, yesterday, of Marc Fogel—a wonderful man that I personally greeted last night at the White House,” he said.
Despite Trump’s claims of “millions” of deaths, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) reported a significantly lower figure. As of December 31, 2024, the OHCHR confirmed 40,838 civilian casualties during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, including 28,382 injuries. However, the agency acknowledged that the true toll could be higher.
Trump’s statements—delivered amid his renewed bid for the presidency—raise questions about whether he is positioning himself as the ultimate peace negotiator. While his claims of staggering war casualties remain unverified, his dramatic overtures toward Moscow and Kyiv suggest that, if re-elected, he intends to place himself at the center of global diplomacy.
With tensions still high and no clear resolution in sight, the world watches closely to see if Trump’s bold promises translate into tangible peace—or if they remain just another chapter in his high-stakes political playbook.
PIONEER NEWS 