US President Donald Trump emphasizes the urgent need to end the Russia-Ukraine war, citing its devastating human toll, while urging OPEC to lower oil prices to facilitate peace efforts.
Washington DC [US], January 24: Highlighting the devastating toll of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, US President Donald Trump has called for an urgent peace settlement to end the “horrible” war, describing it as one of the deadliest conflicts since World War II. Trump also expressed his willingness to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin to expedite peace efforts.
Speaking virtually at the World Economic Forum (WEF), Trump underscored the catastrophic human cost of the war, stating:
“Our efforts to secure a peace settlement between Russia and Ukraine are now hopefully underway. It’s so important to get that done. Millions of soldiers are being killed. Nobody has seen anything like it since World War II. They are laying dead all over the fields, farmlands… It’s time to end it.”
Trump criticized the prolonged nature of the conflict, emphasizing its tragic impact on young lives:
“I really would like to be able to meet with President Putin soon and get that war ended. That’s not from the standpoint of the economy or anything else—it’s from the standpoint of millions of lives that are being wasted. Beautiful, young people are being shot on the battlefield… We really have to stop that war.”
Oil Prices and the Path to Peace
Trump connected high oil prices to the continuation of the war, calling on Saudi Arabia and OPEC to lower costs, which he believes would hasten the end of the conflict.
“I am going to ask Saudi Arabia and OPEC to bring down the cost of oil. If the price came down, the Russia-Ukraine war would end immediately,” Trump stated.
He argued that high oil prices fuel the war, adding:
“With oil prices going down, I’ll demand that interest rates drop immediately, and likewise, they should be dropping all over the world.”
Sanctions and Economic Measures Against Russia
On Wednesday, Trump reiterated his call for peace and warned of potential economic consequences for Russia, including taxes, tariffs, and sanctions, if a resolution is not reached.
“Settle now, and stop this ridiculous war! It’s only going to get worse. If we don’t make a deal soon, I have no other choice but to put high levels of taxes, tariffs, and sanctions on anything being sold by Russia to the United States and other participating countries,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
Despite his warnings, Trump expressed admiration for the Russian people and referenced his positive relationship with President Putin.
“I love the Russian people and always had a very good relationship with President Putin. All of that being said, it’s time to make a deal. No more lives should be lost.”
Call for Immediate Action
Trump’s remarks come amidst ongoing international efforts to address the conflict, which has claimed countless lives and caused significant economic and geopolitical disruptions. At the WEF summit in Davos, Trump reiterated that ending the war is imperative for both humanitarian and global stability.
With millions impacted, Trump’s call for peace aims to bring leaders to the table for a resolution, urging all stakeholders to prioritize diplomacy over continued conflict.