President Donald Trump emphasized that saving lives remains his top priority as he seeks to push forward peace talks on the war in Ukraine.

When asked why the U.S. is heavily involved in efforts to end the conflict — despite Europe bearing the brunt of its impact — Trump responded: “Number one is lives, and number two is everything else.”

The president’s remarks underscore his administration’s framing of U.S. diplomacy as a humanitarian mission, not only a geopolitical one. While acknowledging that the war’s economic and security effects are felt more severely in Europe, Trump has repeatedly argued that America’s role is vital in bringing both sides to the negotiating table.

Trump’s comments follow his recent summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, where talks lasted nearly three hours, and come ahead of his scheduled meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Washington.

Analysts say Trump’s prioritization of “lives first” is designed to resonate both with war-weary populations abroad and with Americans who are skeptical of long-term foreign entanglements. Whether this message translates into tangible progress in negotiations remains to be seen.