The war in Ukraine has left a grim trail of destruction.
Entire cities lie in ruins, and millions of lives have been uprooted. As the conflict continues, its impact reverberates far beyond Europe.
This was the backdrop of Donald Trump’s remarks during a December 16, 2024, speech in Palm Beach, Florida.
Speaking to a packed audience, the former president offered his stark assessment of the war and its devastating consequences.
No War When He Left Office
“It will take 100 years to rebuild Ukraine’s cities,” Trump declared.
His comments reflected on the catastrophic damage inflicted since the conflict began in February 2022. The number of casualties, according to Trump, is at an “astronomic” level.
“The number of deaths is at levels no one has ever seen before,” he said, describing the human toll as almost unimaginable.
“The only thing that stops a bullet is a human body, and the number of soldiers being killed on both sides is astronomical.”
Trump’s speech touched on the underreported severity of the situation.
“What is happening there is much worse than people have reported, for both sides,” he added.
Reflecting on his presidency, Trump expressed regret about the war’s outbreak. He noted the contrast between the current global instability and the relative calm when he left office in 2020.
“We had no wars when I left office, but now everything is exploding,” Trump said. “What a shame. This should never have happened.”
Asserting that the war could have been avoided, Trump claimed, “If I had been president, that war would not have happened.”
The war has ravaged Ukraine, destroying homes, infrastructure, and lives. While the conflict’s end remains uncertain, the challenge of reconstruction looms large.
Experts suggest rebuilding efforts could stretch over decades, requiring sustained global support.
Trump, set to begin his second term in January 2025, offered no specific solutions but signaled that U.S. involvement in addressing the war’s aftermath could see shifts under his leadership.
