US President-elect Donald Trump has criticised Russia's role in Syria, claiming that the country abandoned Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, leading to his downfall.
Trump emphasised that Russia never should have protected Assad in the first place, and their subsequent loss of interest in Syria stemmed from the ongoing war in Ukraine, which Trump believes should never have occurred.
On Sunday, Trump shared his views on his social media platform, Truth Social, stating that Assad had fled Syria and that Russia, under President Vladimir Putin’s leadership, was no longer interested in safeguarding him.
Trump further questioned Russia's involvement in Syria, asserting there was no reason for the country to have been there initially. He argued that Russia’s focus had shifted entirely due to the war in Ukraine, which, according to Trump, has the potential to continue indefinitely.
Trump also commented on the current situation of Russia and Iran, both key backers of Assad. He claimed that both nations were now in a weakened position, with Russia struggling due to the war in Ukraine and a deteriorating economy, while Iran faced challenges from Israel’s military successes.
The President-elect, who is set to take office on January 20, also made a statement on his approach to the Ukraine conflict.
Trump has previously expressed a desire to end the war quickly, and during a recent visit to Paris, he met with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at a ceremony marking the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral.
Trump noted the devastating toll the war has taken on both Russia and Ukraine, with hundreds of thousands of casualties on both sides, including many civilian losses in Ukraine. Trump mentioned that President Zelenskiy is eager to negotiate a ceasefire and bring an end to the conflict.
Trump urged for an immediate ceasefire, advocating for both sides to begin negotiations and seek a resolution to what he described as senseless violence.
He expressed confidence that Putin had an opportunity to act and called for China's assistance in facilitating peace. According to Trump, the world is waiting for action to end the ongoing crisis.
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