A New Push for Peace
Following a landmark summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, United States President Donald Trump has signaled a significant shift in American policy toward the war in Ukraine. Moving away from previous calls for a temporary truce, Trump is now advocating for a direct and final peace agreement to end the conflict. This new stance places considerable pressure on Kyiv to enter negotiations, with the American president suggesting that a definitive deal is within reach, potentially involving territorial concessions and new security arrangements.
The Shift from Ceasefire to Finality
The core of this policy pivot emerged from the nearly three-hour meeting between the two leaders. President Trump stated that he and President Putin concurred that the most effective path forward was to bypass incremental steps like ceasefires, which he noted "often times do not hold up." Instead, their focus is on securing "a Peace Agreement, which would end the war." In subsequent remarks, Trump was candid in his assessment of the situation, urging Ukraine to negotiate by pointing out the reality of the power imbalance. "Russia is a very big power, and they're not," he said, before giving direct advice to his Ukrainian counterpart: "Gotta make a deal." Hinting at the substance of the talks, Trump revealed that concepts such as land swaps and security guarantees were discussed and that he believed the two sides were "pretty close to a deal," though he acknowledged that the final decision rests with Ukraine.
Kyiv's Conditions for Negotiation
In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy adopted a tone of cautious engagement. After a phone call with Trump, he expressed that Ukraine is prepared for "constructive cooperation" and is open to the idea of a trilateral meeting. However, he also clearly articulated Kyiv's non-negotiable terms for any lasting settlement. Writing on social media, Zelenskyy insisted that a "real peace must be achieved, one that will be lasting, not just another pause between Russian invasions." His conditions include an immediate end to the violence, the return of all prisoners and abducted children, and robust security guarantees involving both the United States and European allies. Crucially, he underscored Ukraine's sovereignty, stating, "No issue, particularly territorial ones, can be decided without Ukraine." He also warned that international sanctions against Russia should be intensified if Moscow fails to commit to an "honest end to the war."
Moscow's Ambiguous Stance
President Putin’s public comments following the summit were brief and offered little new insight. He did not mention President Zelenskyy or the possibility of a three-way meeting. He reiterated Russia's readiness to work toward ensuring Ukraine's security but maintained that any progress was contingent on Kyiv and European capitals adopting a "constructive" approach. This vague language leaves Moscow's specific expectations undefined and places the onus for diplomatic movement squarely on Ukraine and its partners. The summit concluded with a friendly exchange, with Putin extending an invitation for a future meeting in Moscow. Trump acknowledged the potential political criticism of such a visit but indicated he could "possibly see it happening," signaling a potential for continued direct dialogue between the two leaders, with or without Kyiv's immediate participation.
