US President Donald Trump signaled a shift in tone on the Russia-Ukraine war, favoring a ceasefire and negotiations.
During a White House meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump showed hesitance to supply Kyiv with Tomahawk missiles which could give Ukraine the ability to strike deep into Russian territories.
‘Make a Deal’
Following their meeting on Friday, the US President urged Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop fighting and pursue a peace deal.
“The meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine was very interesting, and cordial, but I told him, as I likewise strongly suggested to President Putin, that it is time to stop the killing, and make a DEAL!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“Enough blood has been shed, with property lines being defined by War and Guts. They should stop where they are. Let both claim Victory, let History decide!” he added.
Freezing Battle Lines
Trump later urged both Russia and Ukraine to “stop the war immediately” and freeze the battle lines, suggesting that Moscow keep the territories it has captured from Kyiv, according to Reuters.
“You go by the battle line wherever it is — otherwise it’s too complicated. You stop at the battle line and both sides should go home, go to their families, stop the killing, and that should be it. Stop right now at the battle line. I told that to President Zelensky. I told it to President Putin,” he told reporters on his way to West Palm Beach, Florida.
Commenting on Trump’s remarks, the Ukrainian President said that “President (Trump) is right, and we have to stop where we are. This is important, to stop where we are, and then to speak,” adding that he was counting on Trump to pressure Putin “to stop this war.”
No Tomahawks for Ukraine
Zelensky had requested Tomahawk long-range missiles from the US, which would give Ukraine the advantage of targeting Moscow and other Russian cities. Kyiv believes the powerful weaponry could be a game changer in pressing Putin to negotiate.
Earlier, Trump showed openness to supplying Kyiv with the missiles, despite Putin’s warning of such move. However, after a lengthy conversation with his Russian counterpart on Thursday, he showed hesitancy on the matter.
“I have an obligation also to make sure that we’re completely stocked up as a country, because you never know what’s going to happen in war and peace. We’d much rather have them not need Tomahawks. We’d much rather have the war be over to be honest,” Trump said in response to Zelenky’s request.
Zelensky, for his part, suggested that there was still a chance for getting the Tomahawks. “It’s good that President Trump didn’t say ‘no,’ but for today, didn’t say ‘yes,'” he told NBC News during an interview.
“We need Tomahawks” because “it’s very difficult just to operate only with Ukrainian drones,” he added.
Trump-Putin Summit
Trump and Putin agreed to meet in Budapest, Hungary, in the coming weeks, after a lengthy talk on Thursday. The US President described the conversation as “productive,” announcing that their upcoming summit aims to discuss an end to the war in Ukraine.
Moreover, Trump said it was “to be determined” if Zelensky would take part in the upcoming talks in Hungary, according to the Associated Press (AP).
He also acknowledged that Putin might be “playing” him for time by agreeing to talks. “I’ve been played all my life by the best of them, and I came out really well, so it’s possible,” adding that “I think I’m pretty good at this stuff.”
The US and Russian leaders met in Alaska in August, but their summit ended with no breakthrough. Since then, Trump has shown growing frustration with Putin for snubbing his ceasefire proposals.
However, the US President recently showed eagerness to build on the Gaza deal momentum to resolve other conflicts, including the war in Ukraine. “We have to get Russia done. We got to get that one done,” Trump said on Monday during his speech before the Israeli Knesset.
