Trump warns Russia-Ukraine war risks triggering ‘third world war’ as US pushes revised peace plan

Trump warns Russia-Ukraine war risks triggering ‘third world war’ as US pushes revised peace plan

US President Donald Trump cautioned that the Russia-Ukraine conflict could spiral into a global crisis, warning that the prolonged fighting might “end up in a third world war."

Speaking at the White House after signing an executive order to prevent a “patchwork” of state-level AI rules, Trump said he was alarmed by the rising casualties, noting an estimated 25,000 deaths, mostly soldiers, in the past month.

“I’d like to see the killing stop. Twenty-five thousand died last month… I would love to see it end. And we’re working very hard,” he said, adding, “Everybody keeps playing games like this, we’ll end up in a third world war, and we don’t want that.”

This comes after White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the President was “extremely frustrated” with both Moscow and Kyiv over the lack of movement toward a settlement.

“He’s sick of talk. He wants action. He wants this war to come to an end,” she said. Leavitt added that US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and his team were in direct contact with both sides.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the US has pushed Kyiv to pull forces back from parts of Donetsk to establish a “free economic zone” in Ukrainian-held eastern areas, an idea widely viewed as aligning with Moscow’s interests.

He said Ukraine has submitted a 20-point list of counter-proposals and stressed that any territorial concessions would require a national referendum. Washington earlier unveiled all 28 points of its initial peace proposal, which drew criticism for being too favorable to Russia.

The revised version now focuses on a streamlined 20-point framework with separate documents outlining security guarantees and reconstruction plans. Reports suggest Trump hopes to see an agreement by Christmas.

Trump told reporters the US remains open to supporting a broader European security arrangement linked to a future settlement, but argued progress stalled because Zelenskyy rejected a framework he claimed had been close to acceptance. He called the plan “complex but capable of ending heavy battlefield losses.”

The President also highlighted efforts on denuclearisation. “One of the things I talk to China about is the denuclearisation of weapons... I’ve spoken to China about that. I’ve spoken to Russia about that,” he said.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte issued a blunt warning in Berlin, urging European nations to ramp up defence production and spending. He warned that Russia could target NATO within five years if Europe fails to strengthen its posture. “We are Russia’s next target,” he said. “Conflict is at our door.”

Questions have also been raised about other diplomatic initiatives led by the Trump administration. The 20-point plan drafted in October to halt the Israel-Gaza war achieved a temporary breakthrough after two years of fighting, but the ceasefire has struggled to hold. According to Al Jazeera, more than 500 Israeli violations were recorded over two months, with at least 356 Palestinians killed since the agreement.

Similarly, the ‘Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords’ signed by Thailand and Cambodia under US mediation collapsed within weeks. Fighting has resumed along their disputed border, and both sides are accusing each other of provocation. On December 8, Thailand launched airstrikes after a Thai soldier was killed and four others were injured in Cambodian shelling.