United States President-elect Donald Trump has identified the Ukraine crisis as his top priority upon taking office next month. In an interview with French magazine Paris Match, Trump described the conflict between Ukraine and Russia as a critical issue, highlighting the heavy casualties on both sides with hundreds of thousands of soldiers killed.

While acknowledging the Middle East as a significant concern, Trump emphasized that the situation in Ukraine with Russia is a more challenging problem. He called for an immediate ceasefire and suggested that negotiations should begin to quickly resolve the conflict. Following a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Zelensky expressed gratitude for Trump’s commitment to ending the war in Ukraine. Trump also stated that the US should stay out of Syria, leaving it to handle its own affairs.