President Donald Trump has publicly expressed his intent to pursue a direct peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, shifting the U.S. stance from advocating for a ceasefire to seeking a more permanent resolution to the ongoing conflict. This move comes after his high-stakes summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, where Trump and Putin reportedly discussed the possibility of a trilateral summit between the leaders of Russia, Ukraine, and the United States to finalize a peace agreement. Trump emphasized in a post on Truth Social that a lasting peace is essential, arguing that current ceasefire agreements often fail to hold and that the war must be ended once and for all.
Zelenskyy, in an exclusive post on X, echoed Trump’s sentiment, stating that a true peace must be achieved, rather than another pause between Russian invasions. He further indicated that he and Trump had spoken after the U.S.-Russia summit and that they are coordinating positions with European leaders to push for a more permanent resolution to the conflict. European leaders, including U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and others, have also expressed their support for a ‘just and lasting peace,’ and have pledged to work with Trump and Zelenskyy to achieve it. A joint statement from these leaders confirmed their commitment to supporting a comprehensive peace settlement.
Trump’s call for a peace deal has also included a warning to Putin that if Russia refuses to participate in a trilateral meeting, the U.S. could impose ‘very severe’ economic consequences. While the details of these sanctions have not been specified, Trump has not ruled out such measures if Russia continues to block the peace process. Putin, in a statement after his summit with Trump, emphasized that the conflict with Ukraine is based in Russia’s security concerns and that a sustainable peace must address the root causes of the crisis. However, the willingness of all parties to engage in such talks remains uncertain.
The summit between Trump and Putin was widely seen as a positive step toward peace, with Trump stating that it was a 10 out of 10 success. During an exclusive interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity, Trump described the summit as a major breakthrough, with Putin expressing his desire to end the war. However, the practical steps to achieve a lasting peace will depend on the cooperation and willingness of all involved parties, including the continued efforts of Trump and Zelenskyy to coordinate a trilateral summit with Putin.