US President Donald Trump has reversed his stance on the need for a ceasefire before discussing a potential peace deal to end the ongoing war in Ukraine. In talks with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, Trump now believes that an overall peace agreement is the key to resolving the conflict.
According to European officials familiar with the conversation, Putin was open to halting hostilities in two regions – Zaporizhzhia and Kherson – but insisted on retaining control over the disputed Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected giving up these territories, citing concerns about constitutional implications.
The talks between Trump and Putin took place at a U.S. military base in Alaska after Friday’s summit. The White House has yet to provide a public summary of the calls, fueling confusion about the next steps.
Trump stated that “a Peace Agreement would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up.” He also suggested that Russia is prepared to conduct negotiations based on the “line of contact” rather than administrative boundaries.
European leaders have urged security guarantees for Ukraine, emphasizing that international borders should not be altered by force. They welcomed Trump’s efforts to stop the killing in Ukraine and achieve just and lasting peace.
However, questions remain about the feasibility of a trilateral meeting between Trump, Putin, and Zelenskyy. The Russian president’s foreign affairs adviser has stated that such talks have not been discussed yet in U.S.-Russia discussions.
As tensions continue to escalate, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is set to meet with Trump at the White House on Monday to discuss further negotiations.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-war-putin-trump-summit-zelenskyy-63b0072a0b15be7e1b90fb967baad100