August 17, 2025
News & Updates
News
WASHINGTON, D.C.— U.S. President Donald Trump has dropped his earlier demand for a ceasefire in Ukraine before peace negotiations, instead urging Kyiv to pursue direct talks with Moscow, even as Russian President Vladimir Putin pushes for control of more Ukrainian territory.
The shift came after Trump’s summit with Putin in Alaska on Friday, where the Russian leader reportedly proposed freezing the front lines if Ukraine ceded the eastern Donbas region, including Donetsk and Luhansk. Trump later told allies that Ukraine should “make a deal,” signaling a marked change from Washington’s previous stance that a ceasefire was a prerequisite for talks.
The move places added pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is scheduled to meet Trump in Washington on Monday. Zelenskyy has ruled out territorial concessions, insisting that Ukraine will not surrender land recognized as its sovereign territory.
“Stopping the killing is a key element of stopping the war,” Zelenskyy said following the summit, emphasizing that peace requires a halt to hostilities.
European leaders responded with concern, warning that bypassing a ceasefire could undermine Ukraine’s position in any negotiations. France, Germany, and the United Kingdom are coordinating ahead of Zelenskyy’s visit to Washington, reaffirming support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and rejecting settlements that would change borders through force.
Trump has raised the possibility of U.S. security guarantees for Ukraine as part of a broader agreement, but no details have been provided. Analysts note that the absence of a ceasefire could complicate Kyiv’s negotiating stance as the conflict enters its fourth year.
Zelenskyy’s talks in Washington are expected to focus on whether a new framework for peace is possible under Trump’s revised approach and how far Ukraine’s allies are prepared to go in supporting Kyiv’s demands.
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