President-elect Donald Trump demanded an “immediate ceasefire and negotiations” to begin in Ukraine. Trump made the remarks on Truth Social shortly after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

“Likewise, Zelenskyy and Ukraine would like to make a deal and stop the madness. They have ridiculously lost 400,000 soldiers, and many more civilians,” Trump wrote on Sunday. “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.”

He added, “I know Vladimir well. This is his time to act. China can help. The World is waiting!” 

On the campaign trail, Trump told the American people he would bring the war in Ukraine to an end within 24 hours of taking office without laying out a plan. Since getting elected, he has appointed a slew of Russia hawks to staff his incoming administration. 

His National Security Adviser, Mike Waltz, and Envoy to the Ukraine Conflict, Keith Kellogg, have each endorsed the outgoing Joe Biden administration’s decision to significantly escalate the war in Ukraine by allowing Kiev to conduct long-range strikes inside Russia. 

On Saturday, Trump met with Zelensky in France. Following Trump’s post, Zelensky wrote on social media, “I stated that we need a just and enduring peace — one that the Russians will not be able to destroy in a few years, as they have done repeatedly in the past.” 

Trump also gave an interview to Meet the Press that aired over the weekend where he said he expected other NATO members to spend more on their militaries. “They have to pay their bills,” he said. Adding he would “absolutely” think about withdrawing from the alliance. 

Before Trump’s first term, he made similar remarks about removing Washington from NATO and engaging Putin in diplomacy. However, Trump emerged from his first term, having significantly degraded the US relationship with Russia.