Incoming U.S. President Donald Trump addressed the fall of Assad’s regime in Syria for the first time this morning, presenting the events as a historic opportunity for global change. On the social media platform Truth Social, Trump wrote, “Russia no longer wanted to defend Assad” and that “Russia and Iran are now in a weakened state.”
In his statement, Trump attributed Iran’s situation to Israel’s military successes. “Russia and Iran are now weak: one due to the war in Ukraine and a faltering economy, and the other because of Israel and its military successes,” he wrote.
Call to End the War in Ukraine
Trump also referred to the Russia-Ukraine war and called for an immediate ceasefire. He stated, “The Russians lost interest in Syria because of Ukraine, where over 600,000 Russian soldiers have been wounded or killed in a war that never should have started.” The incoming president added, “There needs to be an immediate ceasefire, and negotiations must begin. Too many people are unnecessarily losing their lives, too many families are being destroyed – and if this continues, it could become even worse.”
Trump emphasized that he knows Vladimir Putin “very well” and that “the time to act is now.” He also suggested that China could play a role in facilitating an agreement. “The world is waiting!” he concluded. Trump’s comments add to the international discourse following the dramatic events in Syria and may signal shifts in relations between the nations involved in the Middle East and the war in Ukraine.
