During a press conference at the NATO summit in The Hague, US President Donald Trump denied discussing a potential ceasefire with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during their meeting. Zelensky had earlier described the meeting as ‘long and substantive,’ suggesting that the two leaders had discussed ways to ‘achieve a real peace.’ Trump, however, stated that the topic was not part of the conversation and only wanted to know how Zelensky was doing. This contradiction sparked speculation about the true intentions behind the meeting and the feasibility of a ceasefire.
When asked about the $5 billion in military aid pledged to Ukraine by other NATO countries, Trump reiterated that the focus of the conflict must be on ending it. He also faced questions about the potential sale of Patriot missile systems to Ukraine. Trump responded that the systems were ‘very hard to get,’ noting that the US also needed them for its own defense. He mentioned that the US was supplying Patriots to Israel but expressed willingness to ‘see if we can make some available.’ These statements highlighted the complex balance between military support and strategic considerations.
Since becoming president in January, Trump has repeatedly called for a negotiated settlement to the Ukraine conflict. Earlier this week, he expressed hope for a ‘deal with Russia’ to stop the fighting. However, Moscow has insisted that any lasting agreement must reflect the current battlefield realities and Ukraine’s neutrality, without preconditions. This ongoing negotiation underscores the challenges in achieving a peaceful resolution to the conflict, with both sides maintaining their positions while seeking to avoid further escalation.