US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky engaged in a significant phone call following the Alaska summit, where Trump emphasized the need for a permanent peace agreement rather than a temporary ceasefire. The call, described as ‘not easy’ by Axios, involved key allies and international leaders, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff, as well as leaders from the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Finland, Poland, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. During the call, Trump reiterated his belief that a lasting peace deal is essential to end the war, stating that temporary ceasefires often fail to hold. Zelensky confirmed his intention to visit Washington to continue discussions on resolving the conflict.
The discussions highlighted a growing concern among Western leaders about the effectiveness of current ceasefire agreements, as Russia has consistently argued that such measures would allow Ukraine to receive more military aid, continue its mobilization efforts, and recover losses during a strategic advantage for Russian forces. Trump’s comments align with his broader stance on seeking a decisive resolution to the conflict. Both Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the Alaska summit as productive, with Trump urging Zelensky to ‘make a deal’ to achieve a lasting peace. This call underscores the complex dynamics at play in the ongoing efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict, with key players from the United States and Ukraine working towards potential breakthroughs in the negotiations.