Former U.S. President Donald Trump labeled the Ukraine-Russia war “senseless” during a April 9, 2025, press conference at Mar-a-Lago, reigniting debate over his stance on the conflict as he prepares for his second term.
Speaking alongside visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump criticized the ongoing war, now in its third year, claiming it has caused “needless destruction” and drained global resources. “You’ve got millions displaced, cities flattened, and for what? It’s a mess that shouldn’t have happened,” he said, reiterating his campaign pledge to broker peace “within 24 hours” of taking office. Trump’s remarks drew sharp reactions, with supporters praising his push for de-escalation and critics accusing him of downplaying Ukraine’s sovereignty.
The war, sparked by Russia’s 2022 invasion, has killed tens of thousands, displaced over 10 million, and devastated Ukraine’s infrastructure, with recent Russian advances in Donetsk raising fears of prolonged fighting. Trump avoided detailing his peace plan but suggested “both sides need to sit down” and hinted at leveraging U.S. aid, $113 billion to Ukraine since 2022, as a bargaining chip. He sidestepped questions about supporting Kyiv’s NATO aspirations, a sore point with Moscow, and instead touted his rapport with Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying, “I get along with tough guys. That’s how you solve things.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, responding via Telegram, defended the war as a fight for survival, urging Trump to visit frontline cities like Kharkiv to “see what senseless really means.” European allies, including French President Emmanuel Macron, expressed unease, warning that premature talks could favor Russia’s territorial gains.
Trump’s comments align with his broader “America First” doctrine, prioritizing domestic issues like border security over prolonged foreign entanglements. As inauguration day nears, his rhetoric signals a potential shift in U.S. policy, though analysts doubt a quick resolution given the conflict’s complexity. For now, Trump’s words have stirred hope among war-weary Americans but deepened anxiety in Kyiv and Brussels.