With the regime of his syrian ally Bashar al-Assad toppled in Damascus,
Russian
leader
Vladimir Putin
received a public warning from President-elect Donald Trump,who urged him too agree to a ceasefire with Ukraine before the conflict ther becomes “far worse.”
“Assad is gone,” Trump wrote, in an early Sunday morning post on Truth Social. “He has fled his country.His protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by Vladimir putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer. There was no reason for Russia to be there in the frist place.”
Truth social
Russia’s foreign ministry confirmed Sunday that Assad left Damascus and stepped down,putting an end to his reign that began in 2000 with promises of reform and descended into a personality cult dictatorship defined by human rights abuses.
Russia, Assad’s biggest backer, as anti-government conflicts began in Syria in 2011, has had to focus its resources on its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
“They lost all interest in Syria because of ukraine, where close to 600,000 Russian soldiers lay wounded or dead, in a war that should never have started, and could go on forever,” Trump wrote, likely
citing
a NATO estimate about Russian casualties.
The president-elect suggested that Putin should agree to an immediate ceasefire and come to the negotiating table before,he said,the impact of the war in Ukraine further damages his country.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
conveyed
to Trump his openness to negotiations at a meeting in Paris saturday.
“Zelenskyy and Ukraine would like to make a deal and stop the madness,” Trump wrote. “They have ridiculously lost 400,000 soldiers, and many more civilians. 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.”
Trump has claimed he would end the ukraine war in a single day after taking office—something
diplomats
and experts have doubted, especially as Russia has in
recent weeks
retaken and captured new territory.
Last week, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told the newspaper Izvestia “there are no grounds for negotiations yet.”
Trump, nevertheless, pressed Putin to act: “I know Vladimir well. This is his time to act. China can help. The World is waiting!”
As for Russia’s fallen ally in syria, Trump on Saturday appeared to suggest staying out of the matter.
As rebels, led by al-Qaeda break-off group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, made a rapid advance against a depleted and isolated Assad. Trump
wrote
: “THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED!”
HTS, which will now jockey with other rebel groups to fill the power vacuum left by the departed dictator, is considered a terrorist organization by the United States.
What impact will Assad’s departure have on U.S.-Russia relations moving forward?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Political Analyst Dr. Elena Petrov
Editor: Welcome, Dr. Petrov. Thank you for joining us today. Following the recent political upheaval in Syria, with Assad’s regime coming too an end, what are your thoughts on President-elect trump’s statement encouraging Vladimir Putin to pursue a ceasefire in Ukraine?
Dr. Petrov: Thank you for having me.Trump’s remarks are significant, given the ongoing complexity of Russian foreign policy in the Middle East and Eastern Europe. by urging Putin to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine, Trump is not only recognizing Russia’s shifting priorities but also signaling his vision for a new approach to U.S.-Russia relations.
Editor: It’s captivating that Trump framed Assad’s departure as a turning point. How do you see this dynamic playing out in terms of Russia’s influence over the region?
Dr. Petrov: Assad’s exit from Damascus shifts the balance of power significantly. For years, Assad was a key ally for Russia, enabling them to maintain a foothold in the Middle East. With him gone, Russia may now have to recalibrate its strategies not only in syria but also in Ukraine.Trump’s assertion that russia had ”no reason to be there in the first place” could resonate with various factions within Russia that are questioning the costs and benefits of their military engagements abroad.
Editor: Could this potential shift indicate a broader strategy for de-escalation in Ukraine?
Dr. Petrov: Absolutely. If Putin is looking to consolidate his power within Russia and stabilize the region, curbing his military activities in Ukraine could be a pragmatic choice. The pressure from the international community, exacerbated by Trump’s comments, might push him toward pursuing negotiations rather than persistently escalating the conflict.
Editor: Russia’s Foreign Ministry confirmed Assad’s departure and resignation. What implications does this have for international diplomacy regarding Syria and Ukraine?
Dr. Petrov: Assad’s resignation opens a new chapter for peace talks in Syria, potentially involving various stakeholders—both regional and international. In the context of Ukraine,Russia may leverage its position in Syria to negotiate concessions elsewhere.This could lead to a more multipolar approach to resolving conflicts, where power dynamics are continually shifting, reflecting the interests of multiple nations, rather than just a two-sided standoff.
Editor: You mentioned the idea of a multipolar approach. How do you think other nations, particularly those in Europe, are reacting to this situation?
Dr. Petrov: European nations are closely monitoring these developments. Some may see this as an prospect to engage with Russia if it leads to a genuine change in stance toward Ukraine. However, others are likely to remain skeptical, particularly due to ancient grievances and Russia’s track record in regional conflicts. They’ll tread carefully, advocating for a clear cessation of hostilities while ensuring that any engagement with Russia is beneficial for European security.
Editor: how do you envision the future of U.S.-Russia relations in light of Trump’s comments and the changing landscape in Syria?
Dr. Petrov: The future of U.S.-Russia relations is highly likely to be contentious, but there is room for dialogue, particularly if Trump, or any subsequent administration, is serious about easing tensions. If both sides can find a common ground—a ceasefire being an initial step—it could pave the way for broader negotiations on multiple fronts, including arms control, cyber security, and regional stability. The key will be maintaining pressure while also leaving openings for diplomacy.
Editor: Thank you, Dr.Petrov, for your insights. Your perspective on these unfolding events is invaluable, and we’ll certainly keep an eye on how these dynamics develop in the coming weeks.
Dr. Petrov: Thank you for the discussion.It’s always a pleasure to analyze these critical global events.