Trump reveals grim casualty numbers from Russia-Ukraine war as he renews push for peace deal

WASHINGTON, DC: President Trump said Saturday, Sept 27, that 25,000 people were killed last month in the war between Ukraine and Russia and another 32,000 the month before.

Trump did not cite a specific source for the figures. According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Russia alone has lost as many as 450,000 soldiers since invading Ukraine in 2022. Trump emphasized that the overwhelming monthly death tolls, totaling tens of thousands of mostly military personnel, make reaching an immediate resolution critical. 

Trump says he wants a deal before winter

"Last month, 25,000 people died in the Ukraine-Russia war, OK? Twenty-five thousand," Trump told reporters on the White House lawn Saturday.

He said, "The month before that, 32,000 people died … mostly soldiers, 97% soldiers. But whether they're soldiers or civilians, think of it: 32,000. Two months ago, 33,000 people; this month, 25,000 people died. What a shame."

Trump told reporters he wants to see the war come to an end soon, saying he had recently spoken with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"I spoke to him a lot, and he's going along and Putin's going along. And, someday, hopefully in the not too distant future, maybe before the heavy winter, they'll make a deal," he told reporters.

He said he had encouraged Zelenskyy to pursue an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin, adding, "I agreed with Zelenskyy that we talked about a lot of different subjects, and many of those subjects, very strong agreement. But you know what I want him to do? Make a deal. I want him to settle with Putin, and I want Putin to settle with him."

Patriot missile license announcement

Zelenskyy announced Friday that Trump had agreed to give approval to Ukraine to license and produce US Patriot missile interceptors.

"There are concrete agreements regarding Patriot licenses. At our meeting, President Trump stressed that he had made his final decision: Ukraine will receive licenses to produce Patriot missiles,'" Zelenskyy posted Friday.

Trump had previously hesitated to approve the licenses, making the announcement a notable shift in US policy toward Ukraine's air defense capabilities.

These remarks land as the US ramps up its push to end the war. Envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner just flew to Moscow to meet with Putin, then went to Kyiv for follow-up talks.

It’s all part of the Trump administration’s renewed campaign to settle a conflict that’s dragged on for more than three and a half years since Russia invaded in February 2022.