U.S. PRESIDENT SAYS THE SCALE OF MILITARY LOSSES MAKES ENDING THE WAR A PRIORITY

U.S. President Donald Trump has called for an end to the Russia-Ukraine war, urging Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to pursue a settlement with Moscow as the conflict continues to inflict heavy military and civilian losses.

Trump reiterated his view during his meeting with Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, saying he believes both Russia and Ukraine want the war to end.

TRUMP POINTS TO HEAVY CASUALTIES

Trump has repeatedly highlighted the human cost of the conflict when arguing for negotiations.

Western estimates cited by the Associated Press put the number of military casualties on both sides at more than 500,000 each, although estimates vary significantly depending on the source and methodology.

Trump has used the scale of the losses to argue that reaching an agreement should be treated as an urgent priority.

ZELENSKYY PUSHES FOR PEACE TALKS

Zelenskyy has also said Ukraine is prepared to pursue negotiations, while maintaining that any settlement must address the country’s security and territorial concerns.

Following his meeting with Trump, the Ukrainian president said discussions focused on how to end the war. Ukraine has also proposed a potential ceasefire covering attacks on energy infrastructure, with Zelenskyy saying Kyiv would be prepared to stop strikes against Russian energy facilities if Moscow did the same.

DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS CONTINUE

Trump has said he believes a deal between Moscow and Kyiv can eventually be reached and has indicated that he could speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin again, including potentially at the G20 summit in December.

The conflict, however, continues on the battlefield, with Russia and Ukraine carrying out missile and drone attacks against each other’s territory and infrastructure.

The latest diplomatic efforts therefore come alongside continued military activity, with questions remaining over the terms of any potential settlement and the security arrangements that would accompany it.

THE ROAD TO A SETTLEMENT

For Washington, ending the war remains a major diplomatic objective. Kyiv has signalled an openness to negotiations while continuing to seek military and political support from its international partners.

Whether the latest discussions can lead to a broader ceasefire or peace agreement will depend on negotiations between Russia and Ukraine and the positions taken by their respective international partners.