Trump shifts stance after Putin meeting

Trump’s Alaska meeting with Putin is followed by a shift from seeking a ceasefire to backing a broader peace framework, a move that unsettles Ukraine supporters and tests Western unity.

Trump shifts stance after Putin meeting on ceasefire and peace talks

KYIV – The Alaska summit began with a clear goal. Before the trip, Trump described a ceasefire as the main objective and warned of severe consequences if it did not happen. After meeting Putin, he posted that a ceasefire was not the only path and that a comprehensive peace agreement could end the war.

Trump’s change aligns him with Putin on how to end the war, not just how to pause fighting. The shift also draws a line between Trump’s approach and Ukraine’s position, which favors a ceasefire first to create room for negotiations. The move comes as Zelenskyy and Western allies press for sustained support and sanctions to push Russia toward real concessions.

If this stance sticks, it could reshape American diplomacy toward Ukraine and stir debates back home about how to balance negotiation leverage with a clear commitment to Ukraine’s security.

Highlights

The upcoming White House meeting will show if diplomacy can outpace the war’s momentum.