Ceasefire shift prompts new diplomacy

Trump signals a new approach to ending the war as he prepares to meet Zelensky after Friday's Alaska summit with Putin.

Trump shifts ceasefire position ahead of Zelensky talks

Trump’s remarks show a shift from an earlier push for a rapid ceasefire to a more open ended path. He reportedly told European leaders before the summit that his goal was to secure a ceasefire deal, and he later relayed that message to Zelensky in a call after the talks. Ukraine has demanded a quick ceasefire as a basis for talks on a longer term settlement.

In parallel, reports circulated that Putin presented a package offering Ukraine control over its Donetsk region while freezing front lines. Kyiv has long said it will not cede Donbas, and Ukraine’s leadership has tied any pause in fighting to the restoration of sovereignty across its territory. Sources also describe Europe’s worry that Trump may press Zelensky to accept terms discussed with Moscow. A Fox News interview after the summit drew renewed attention when Trump urged Zelensky to “make a deal.”

The episode underscores how diplomacy now sits at the edge of three different agendas. Washington seeks leverage in a volatile moment, Kyiv guards core territorial red lines, and European partners fear private talks spill into public negotiations. A potential risk is that open talk of concessions could confuse allies and corporate budget watchers who want predictable policy. Yet this moment also tests the United States as a co equal in coordination with Europe, and it highlights how quickly political signals can shape battlefield expectations.

Highlights

Diplomacy moves fast; the next hours will reveal if talks can keep pace with political theater.