Donald Trump on Saturday abandoned his push for a ceasefire in Ukraine, instead calling for a full peace accord after his summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska ended without a breakthrough.
The shift marks a significant departure from Trump’s earlier demand for an immediate cessation of hostilities — a stance supported by European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is scheduled to meet Trump in Washington on Monday.
Trump argued that ceasefires “often do not hold up,” saying a comprehensive peace agreement was the best way to end the nearly three-year war. Putin has long favored negotiations on a final deal, though critics in Kyiv and Europe view that as a ploy to secure Russian gains on the battlefield.
According to a source briefed on the talks, Putin proposed that Russia take full control of the Donbas region in exchange for halting its offensive in southern Ukraine — a suggestion Zelensky rejected. Trump nevertheless said the U.S. would be prepared to provide Ukraine with security guarantees, a move praised by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz as “significant progress.”
The development drew sharp criticism from EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who accused Moscow of trying to “drag out negotiations” without genuine intent to end the war. Meanwhile, European leaders plan to convene Sunday to discuss next steps ahead of a possible Trump-Putin-Zelensky summit.
As fighting continued — with Kyiv reporting overnight Russian drone and missile attacks — the spotlight now shifts to Zelensky’s White House talks, where he is expected to press for stronger Western support while facing new pressure to accept a peace framework.
The shift marks a significant departure from Trump’s earlier demand for an immediate cessation of hostilities — a stance supported by European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is scheduled to meet Trump in Washington on Monday.
Trump argued that ceasefires “often do not hold up,” saying a comprehensive peace agreement was the best way to end the nearly three-year war. Putin has long favored negotiations on a final deal, though critics in Kyiv and Europe view that as a ploy to secure Russian gains on the battlefield.
According to a source briefed on the talks, Putin proposed that Russia take full control of the Donbas region in exchange for halting its offensive in southern Ukraine — a suggestion Zelensky rejected. Trump nevertheless said the U.S. would be prepared to provide Ukraine with security guarantees, a move praised by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz as “significant progress.”
The development drew sharp criticism from EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who accused Moscow of trying to “drag out negotiations” without genuine intent to end the war. Meanwhile, European leaders plan to convene Sunday to discuss next steps ahead of a possible Trump-Putin-Zelensky summit.
As fighting continued — with Kyiv reporting overnight Russian drone and missile attacks — the spotlight now shifts to Zelensky’s White House talks, where he is expected to press for stronger Western support while facing new pressure to accept a peace framework.
