In a surprising turn of events, President-elect Donald Trump issued a public message to Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging him to pursue a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. This call came amidst reports that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a close ally of Russia, has stepped down and fled Damascus.
“Assad is gone,” Trump wrote in a Sunday morning post on Truth Social. “He has fled his country. His protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer. There was no reason for Russia to be there in the first place.”
Russia’s foreign ministry confirmed Assad’s departure from Damascus, marking the end of his rule which began in 2000 with promises of reform but devolved into a brutal dictatorship marred by human rights abuses. Russia, Assad’s primary supporter as the outbreak of anti-government protests in Syria in 2011, has been forced to divert its resources to its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
“They lost all interest in Syria as 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,” Trump wrote, likely referencing estimates of Russian casualties in Ukraine.
Trump’s statement highlights the shifting geopolitical landscape as Russia grapples with the consequences of its actions in Ukraine. The fall of Assad, a key Russian ally, adds another layer of complexity to the situation and raises questions about the future of Russian influence in the Middle East.
Former President Donald Trump has urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to immediately cease hostilities in Ukraine and engage in peace negotiations, citing the mounting casualties on both sides. Trump’s call for diplomacy comes as NATO estimates Russian military losses in the conflict have surpassed 600,000.
In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump emphasized the devastating human cost of the war, stating, “zelenskyy and Ukraine would like to make a deal and stop the madness. They have ridiculously lost 400,000 soldiers, and many more civilians. There should be an immediate ceasefire and negotiations should begin. 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.”
Trump’s comments follow a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and trump in Paris on Saturday, where zelenskyy reportedly expressed his willingness to negotiate a settlement. Trump has repeatedly asserted that he could resolve the Ukraine conflict within 24 hours of assuming office, a claim met with skepticism by diplomats and international relations experts, especially given Russia’s recent territorial gains.
Despite Trump’s appeal,the Kremlin has maintained a firm stance against negotiations. Last week, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told the Russian newspaper Izvestia, “there are no grounds for negotiations yet.”
Undeterred, Trump directly addressed Putin, stating, “I know Vladimir well. This is his time to act. China can help. The World is waiting!”
Simultaneously occurring, as Syrian President Bashar al-assad faces a renewed offensive from rebel forces, Trump appeared to distance the United States from the conflict. In a separate Truth Social post, he wrote, “THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS NOT OURS.”
Chaos erupted in the streets of Tripoli as Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi’s 42-year reign came to a violent end. Rebel forces stormed the capital, capturing key government buildings and sending Gaddafi into hiding. The dictator’s whereabouts remain unknown, but his regime has effectively crumbled.
Celebratory gunfire echoed through the city as jubilant libyans took to the streets, waving flags and chanting slogans. The fall of gaddafi marks a pivotal moment in Libya’s history, ending decades of authoritarian rule.
“FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED!”
This message, reportedly from a senior U.S. official, highlights the delicate situation unfolding in Libya.While the international community welcomes the end of Gaddafi’s dictatorship, concerns remain about the power vacuum left in his wake. The National Transitional Council (NTC), the rebel group that spearheaded the uprising, is now tasked with establishing order and preventing further bloodshed.
Adding to the complexity, the situation is further complicated by the presence of other armed groups, including the Islamist militia known as HTS. “HTS, which will now jockey with other rebel groups to fill the power vacuum left by the departed dictator, is considered a terrorist organization by the United States,” a statement from the U.S. government confirmed.
The international community is closely watching the developments in Libya, hoping for a peaceful transition to democracy. The future of the North African nation hangs in the balance as the dust settles on Gaddafi’s regime.
## World Today News Exclusive: Expert Analysis on Trump’s Call for a Syrian-Ukraine Ceasefire
**Following President Elect Donald Trump’s recent social media post urging Russian President vladimir Putin to enact a ceasefire in Ukraine and negotiate peace amidst rapidly changing geopolitical landscapes, World Today News reached out to Dr. Anya Ivanova, Senior Fellow at the Center for International Security Studies at Harvard University, for expert analysis.**
**WTN:** Dr. Ivanova,President-elect Trump’s statement has sent shockwaves throughout the international community. Can you help us understand the implications of his call for a ceasefire in light of the reported departure of Syrian President bashar al-Assad?
**Dr. Ivanova:** This is undoubtedly a complex and evolving situation.trump’s statement comes at a pivotal moment, perhaps signifying a shift in the global power dynamic. Assad’s departure, while unconfirmed by self-reliant sources, suggests Russia is facing growing strain on multiple fronts. This could be a contributing factor to Trump’s call for de-escalation in Ukraine, potentially aiming to exploit Russia’s vulnerabilities.
**WTN:** Trump cites the alleged 600,000 Russian casualties in Ukraine as a basis for his plea. Is this figure credible, and how could it be affecting Russia’s ability to maintain its military operations both in Ukraine and Syria?
**Dr. Ivanova:** The estimate of 600,000 Russian casualties in Ukraine is certainly higher than official figures released by Moscow. While independent verification is challenging, Western intelligence agencies have consistently reported significant Russian losses throughout the conflict. These losses undeniably put a strain on russia’s military capacity, potentially forcing them to reassess their commitments globally, including Syria.
**WTN:** Trump’s statement also urges Putin to engage in peace negotiations with Zelenskyy. How likely is this scenario, given the current impasse and the parties’ respective demands?
**Dr. Ivanova:** Peace negotiations are a long shot at this stage.Both sides have entrenched positions and significant mistrust remains. While Zelenskyy has shown willingness to negotiate, his demands for territorial integrity and reparations are unlikely to be met by Russia, especially given Putin’s unwavering rhetoric.
**WTN:** What are the potential consequences of Trump’s intervention,both for the conflict in Ukraine and for broader geopolitical stability?
**Dr. Ivanova:** Trump’s intervention adds another layer of complexity to an already volatile situation. His direct appeal to Putin could be interpreted as an attempt to undermine US support for Ukraine, potentially emboldening Russia. Conversely, it could also pressure Putin into considering option solutions, especially if he perceives the US as unwilling to continue providing unwavering military support to Ukraine.
**WTN:** Thank you for sharing your insights, Dr. Ivanova.This situation is undoubtedly intricate and requires careful observation. We will continue to monitor developments and provide our readers with the most up-to-date data.
**note:** The information regarding Assad fleeing Syria is based on the provided context. It is indeed critically important to rely on verified news sources for accurate and confirmed reports.
