Trump presses for Russia-Ukraine ceasefire following Assad’s downfall

Analysis

Andrew Parasiliti

This combination of pictures created on Feb. 21, 2020 shows US President Donald Trump delivering remarks at a Keep America Great rally in Phoenix, Arizona, on Feb. 19, 2020. Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech during a ceremony in Jerusalem on Jan. 23, 2020 commemorating the people of Leningrad during the Second World War Nazi siege on the city. — This combination of pictures created on Feb. 21, 2020, shows US President Donald Trump delivering remarks at a Keep America Great rally in Phoenix, Arizona, Feb. 19, 2020. Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech during a ceremony in Jerusalem on Jan. 23, 2020, commemorating the people of Leningrad during the World War II Nazi siege on the city. — JIM WATSON,EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images

Trump links ‘weakened state’ of Russia, Iran

US President-elect Donald Trump seized the diplomatic initiative with Russia Sunday following the overthrow of the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria.

Trump said in a social media post that the "weakened state" of Russia (and Iran) should compel immediate negotiations on a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war, suggesting even a role for China.

The collapse of Assad’s government has also taken Russian President Vladimir Putin off the hook in Syria, further strengthening the prospects for Trump’s diplomatic initiatives in Iran and Iraq, in addition to Ukraine.

The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Search

Trump presses for Russia-Ukraine ceasefire following Assad’s downfall

The Syria war could also shake up Iraqi politics; Erdogan sees Syria as opening with Trump; Israel not banking on Golani; Assad’s final, desperate hours.

SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE

Continue reading this exclusive analysis

Original reporting and analysis unavailable elsewhere. Subscribe to AL-MONITOR to read this story and access everything we publish

Read By