US President: Russia-Ukraine conflict could lead to World War III

(CLO) US President Donald Trump warned that a prolonged conflict between Russia and Ukraine could "lead to a third world war" if not contained soon.

Speaking to reporters at the White House on December 12, Trump said he was increasingly concerned about the escalating scale of casualties, citing estimates that around 25,000 people, mostly soldiers, had been killed in the previous month alone. He called for an immediate end to the fighting and asserted that the U.S. was “doing everything possible” to push for a diplomatic breakthrough.

According to him, a prolonged war would not only cause more casualties but also risk spiraling out of control. “It really doesn’t affect America unless it gets out of control… Things like this will eventually lead to World War III,” Trump said.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president was “extremely disappointed” with both Russia and Ukraine for the lack of progress in negotiations, and stressed that Trump did not want more “meetings just for the sake of meeting.” She said Trump wanted “action” and wanted the war “to end.”

US President Donald Trump. Photo: White House

According to the White House, Trump spoke with European leaders on December 10, while U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and his team were conducting direct talks with both sides.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the US had urged Kyiv to withdraw troops from certain areas in Donetsk in order to create a “free economic zone” in the eastern regions controlled by Ukraine.

He said the plan was allegedly proposed by the US and was in line with Russia's strategic interests. Zelenskyy said Kyiv had sent a set of 20 counter-proposals to the US and insisted that any territorial compromise must be approved by a nationwide referendum.

The U.S. previously put forward a 28-point plan in November to resolve the conflict, but this plan displeased some of Ukraine's European allies. Trump said the document had been revised to reflect the positions of both Russia and Ukraine, with only a few points remaining to be agreed upon. The U.S. has held talks with Ukrainian delegations in Florida and with Russian officials in Moscow.

Source: https://congluan.vn/tong-thong-my-xung-dot-nga-ukraine-co-the-dan-den-the-chien-iii-10322366.html