Trump shifts stance on Ukraine ceasefire after Putin talks

Trump shifts away from pressing a ceasefire and backs Russia's plan after meeting Putin, signaling a major change in U.S. stance.

Trump shifts to Russian plan for end of Ukraine war after Putin talks

The United States had pressed for a 30 day ceasefire in Ukraine, and Kyiv expressed willingness to pause fighting. In March, Trump argued a ceasefire would be beneficial and warned of sanctions on Moscow and buyers of its oil if Russia refused. Kyiv agreed to the pause, but last week Trump said the approach had changed after meeting Putin, aligning with the Kremlin's roadmap for ending the war.

Trump’s shift aligns with Moscow’s demand for a staged process, where a broader peace agreement comes before any return to normal fighting. Russia is reported to press Ukraine to cede northern Donetsk, including Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, while offering to freeze frontlines in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson as a concession. In remarks after the Putin talks, Trump argued there was no need for a truce and claimed he had ended six conflicts without one.

Analysts see the shift as a signal of a different kind of diplomacy that prizes sequencing over immediate gains for Kyiv. It could erode Western unity if allied voices fear appeasement and could weaken Ukraine's leverage in negotiations. The move also raises questions about how much weight U.S. policy should place on Moscow's terms when public support and defense commitments are at stake.

The episode tests how domestic politics shape foreign policy statements. Depending on future actions, Washington's credibility, the strength of European solidarity, and the pace of military aid to Ukraine may face new tensions amid budget scrutiny and public reaction. The coming weeks will show whether this is a tactical reposition or a durable shift in strategy.

Highlights

Diplomacy now faces tests that go beyond words and into the realities on the ground.