US President Donald Trump said after his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin that he no longer wants to push for a simple ceasefire in the Ukraine war. Instead, he wants to go straight toward a full peace agreement that can end the conflict.
On Friday night, Trump spoke with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and several European leaders. After the call, he wrote on Truth Social that everyone agreed a peace deal is better than a ceasefire, since ceasefires often break down and fail to stop the fighting.
He said in his post that the war is terrible and must end, and the only real way to do that is through a peace agreement. European leaders and Zelensky, however, are unsure if skipping a ceasefire is a safe move. They fear Russia could use the delay to capture more Ukrainian land and then use it for bargaining power in talks.
Trump also claimed his summit with Putin in Alaska went well. He said he had “very good” talks with Zelensky and European leaders afterward. He added that Zelensky will visit the White House on Monday. If things go well, Trump hopes to arrange a meeting with Putin next.
Trump admitted that some disagreements with Putin remain. He called one of them “the most significant” but did not share details. At a press conference, he said both sides made progress but still had a few big issues to solve.
Earlier, Trump had promised he would demand a ceasefire before any other talks. On the way to Alaska, he told reporters that he wanted a ceasefire quickly and would be upset if it did not happen. But now, his position has shifted.
Zelensky wrote on X that Europe and Ukraine still believe a ceasefire is urgent. He stressed that peace must last, not just pause Russia’s attacks. He asked Trump to enforce stronger sanctions if Russia avoids fair negotiations.
European leaders, calling themselves “The Coalition of the Willing,” praised Trump’s effort to stop the war. They said Ukraine needs strong security guarantees to protect its land. French President Emmanuel Macron also said Europe will keep pressure on Russia until a true peace is achieved.
Overall, Trump’s push for a direct peace deal marks a big change in his approach. Zelensky and European leaders welcome his effort but remain cautious about how it will unfold.