US President Donald Trump claimed on 20 January that Russia has lost nearly one million soldiers during its three-year war in Ukraine, while suggesting Vladimir Putin should seek a peace deal. He also made exaggerated claims about Ukrainian losses.
Politico reports that speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on, Trump said,
“I think he’s destroying Russia by not making a deal.“
The US president said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed willingness to negotiate, though Putin’s position remains unclear.
Trump highlighted Russia’s economic challenges, pointing to inflation and overall troubles facing the country.
“Russia is kinda in big trouble,” he stated during the briefing.
Addressing his campaign promise to end the Russo-Ukrainian war on his first day in office, Trump responded with humor, saying, “I have another half of the day left,” while expressing desire for swift resolution.
Trump claimed approximately 700,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in the war. However, Ukraine has previously stated it has lost 43,000 soldiers killed in action and over 370,000 wounded.
While the Kremlin maintains silence on its casualties, Ukrainian estimates suggest Russia lost 150,000 soldiers killed and more than 400,000 wounded in 2024 alone.
Related:
- Trump orders 90-day pause on US foreign assistance programs, which includes Ukraine’s
- Russo-Ukrainian War, day 1062: Trump returns to White House as war in Ukraine enters critical phase
- New US State Secretary says both Ukraine and Russia should concede “something”
- Russia kills one person, injuries 4 in its attack on civilian car in Prymorsk, Zaporizhzhia Oblast
- Zelenskyy says western media exaggerates Ukrainian losses