Trump signals ceasefire not required for peace

Trump meets Zelenskyy at the White House and signals a ceasefire is not needed for a peace deal

Trump rules out ceasefire in Russia Ukraine peace effort

President Trump welcomed Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the White House in a calmer setting than their last Oval Office encounter. Trump said a ceasefire is not necessary to seal a peace deal and argued that past settlements happened without a halt in fighting. Zelenskyy pressed for security guarantees and Western weapons support to deter Russia.

Trump floated the possibility of a trilateral meeting with Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin and indicated talks with European partners would shape any agreement. He did not rule out the option of U.S. troops, saying discussions would happen with seven great leaders present. European leaders held a preparatory session, and Zelenskyy described the talks as very serious. The exchange included lighter moments, reflecting a less acrimonious atmosphere than before.

The shift in tone risks complicating Kyiv’s negotiating position. By suggesting a ceasefire may not be essential, Trump echoes a line that could undercut Western pressure for a pause in hostilities. That stance could complicate Kyiv’s security guarantees and fuel frustration among European partners anxious to avoid a prolonged stalemate. Fiona Hill warned that Trump has ceded narrative control to Putin, a dynamic that could limit Ukraine’s leverage on the international stage.

At the same time, the openness to trilateral talks and a potential role for U.S. troops keeps the door open to a negotiated settlement, but it also broadens the set of actors whose interests will pull in different directions. The coming days will test whether a shared framework can emerge without eroding alliance cohesion or emboldening Moscow to push for more concessions.

Highlights

The road to a durable settlement remains dependent on how these competing pressures resolve.