Trump Urges Swift Peace Deal to Halt Ukraine’s Mounting Casualties
In a Friday radio interview, President Donald Trump emphasized the urgent need to end the ongoing war in Ukraine, warning that continued fighting could lead to a rapid collapse of Ukrainian forces without a negotiated settlement. He described the conflict as a “bloodbath” and called for an agreement that prioritizes stopping the loss of life on both sides.
“They’re losing land. They’re losing land,” Trump told Fox News Radio’s The Brian Kilmeade Show. “We’re in it for one thing… We want the k*lling to — you know, they lost 25,000 people last month between the two countries, 25,000 people. It’s out of control. It’s a bloodbath.”
Trump suggested it would be “appropriate” for Ukraine to finalize a peace framework by Thanksgiving, noting flexibility on deadlines if progress continues.
Details of Proposed 28-Point Peace Framework Emerge
The plan, presented to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky by U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, includes freezing current battle lines in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, recognizing Russian control over the full Donbas region, and requiring Ukraine to commit to permanent neutrality by forgoing NATO membership—a pledge that would be enshrined in its constitution.
In exchange, NATO would agree not to station troops in Ukraine, though European air assets would be positioned in neighboring Poland for regional security.
The framework also caps Ukraine’s military at 600,000 troops and mandates elections within 100 days of signing, which have been postponed under martial law since the war began.
Trump defended the proposal as necessary to prevent further devastation, stating that without an agreement, Ukrainian forces “will lose in a short period of time.”
He added that Russian President Vladimir Putin is “not looking for more war” once the conflict is resolved and acknowledged the heavy toll on Russia despite U.S. military aid to Ukraine.
“But in all fairness, we gave them the best military — we make the best equipment in the world… they were very brave,” Trump said of Ukrainian troops.
Zelensky Acknowledges Pressure, European Leaders Reaffirm Support
Responding to the U.S. initiative, Zelensky described the moment as one of intense difficulty for Ukraine, saying the country “may now face a very difficult choice, either losing its dignity or the risk of losing a key partner.” He pledged to “work calmly with America and all partners.”
A senior U.S. official reported positive initial feedback from Ukrainian representatives during talks last month, though a top Zelensky adviser later clarified his role was limited to facilitating discussions.
On Friday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke with Zelensky to express continued solidarity.
In a joint statement, they welcomed commitments to Ukraine’s sovereignty and the need for “solid security guarantees,” stressing that any agreement must enable Ukraine to effectively defend itself and preserve vital European interests.
As Russian forces advance in several eastern sectors and Ukraine grapples with domestic challenges, including a recent corruption scandal in its energy sector, the proposed framework has sparked debate over how best to achieve a sustainable peace that ends the bloodshed while addressing security concerns for all parties involved.
