Trump Pushes for Permanent Peace Deal Over Ceasefire in Ukraine’s Conflict

U.S. President Donald Trump has said only a lasting peace agreement, not a temporary ceasefire, can end the war in Ukraine, after summit talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska ended without a deal.

Speaking to reporters before the meeting, Trump said he would not be satisfied leaving without a ceasefire. But afterwards, he struck a different tone on social media: “Ceasefires often times do not hold up. We need to negotiate a permanent peace agreement.”

The stance is a setback for Kyiv and its European allies, who had urged an immediate ceasefire as a first step, according to BBC correspondent James Waterhouse.

In Ukraine, many voiced anger at Putin’s warm reception. “We feel crushed by Trump’s red carpet welcome for Putin,” one Kyiv resident said. President Volodymyr Zelensky announced he would travel to Washington on Monday for direct talks with Trump.

While the Alaska summit ended without an agreement, Trump said “progress was made,” and Putin claimed he was “sincerely interested” in ending the conflict.