US President Donald Trump has shifted his stance on the war in Ukraine, now favoring a comprehensive peace deal over an initial ceasefire after meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
Key developments:
- Peace over ceasefire: Trump said negotiators should move directly toward a peace agreement, rather than stopping first at a ceasefire — a position that Kyiv and European allies had been pressing for. Critics in Ukraine said this aligns with Moscow’s demands.
- Zelensky push: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who will meet Trump in Washington on Monday, urged a trilateral summit including Putin, warning sanctions should increase if Moscow refuses.
- European reaction: European leaders joined a follow-up call with Trump and Zelensky, backing “further talks” and floating potential US–EU-backed security guarantees for Ukraine, though not via NATO.
- Mixed fallout: Ukrainians on the ground criticized the Alaska summit as a win for Putin, who was seen regaining international legitimacy. European officials voiced skepticism, with many warning Russia has no intent to end the war soon.
- Ongoing conflict: Fighting and drone attacks continued during the summit, underscoring doubts that negotiations alone can halt hostilities.
Analysts caution that a peace deal would require tackling divisive issues such as territorial control and Ukraine’s NATO aspirations — demands that Kyiv rejects but Putin insists upon. Trump, meanwhile, sees progress in the idea of direct trilateral talks, though the Kremlin downplayed such prospects.
