- Trump, Putin, and Zelensky agree a peace agreement is preferable to a ceasefire to end the Russia-Ukraine war.
- Trump’s Alaska meeting with Putin ended without a deal but was described as “very successful.”
- Zelensky to visit Washington for trilateral talks following a call with Trump.
US President Donald Trump has stated that he, alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, have agreed that a lasting peace agreement is preferable to a temporary ceasefire to end the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Eko Hot Blog reports that Trump made the remarks on Truth Social following his high-profile meeting with Putin in Alaska, which ended without a formal deal.
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Earlier, Trump described the meeting as having made great progress, though no agreement was finalized. On his return flight to Washington, he held a call with Zelensky, who confirmed plans to visit Washington on Monday. He noted that ceasefires often times do not hold up and emphasized the importance of a durable peace.
Trump called the day great and very successful, highlighting productive conversations with Putin, Zelensky, European leaders, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
The joint statement emphasized that the three leaders determined a peace agreement would better end the war than a ceasefire, which risks being temporary. Trump added that if discussions with Zelensky go well, a trilateral meeting with Putin will be scheduled.
Zelensky, after the call, stressed the need for a real peace that is lasting, not merely a pause between Russian offensives.
“It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up,” he wrote.
“If all works out” with Zelensky on Monday “we will then schedule a meeting with President Putin”, Trump added.
“A real peace must be achieved, one that will be lasting, not just another pause between Russian invasions,” Zelensky said following the call.
The Alaska summit was highly orchestrated, with Putin receiving a red-carpet welcome amid significant international attention. However, despite the ceremony and initial optimism, the leaders concluded talks in under three hours, issuing only a brief joint statement.
Putin reiterated his long-standing position that for peace to last, the root causes of the conflict must be addressed interpreted as Ukraine withdrawing from Russian-occupied territories in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia, and abandoning NATO ambitions. Zelensky has firmly rejected any territorial concessions.
During the press briefing, Putin urged caution against actions that could disrupt the peace process, while Trump praised his “fantastic relationship” with Putin but acknowledged a few unresolved issues remained.
No questions were taken, and the planned working lunch was canceled.
Zelensky, absent from the Alaska summit, supported the idea of a trilateral meeting and insisted that Ukraine’s participation is essential in any discussion about its territory and future. He also advocated for strengthening sanctions on Russia if it seeks to avoid a genuine resolution.
The upcoming Monday meeting will mark Zelensky’s first visit to the White House since a tense encounter with Trump in February, though relations appeared to have improved following a brief April meeting.
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While no deal was reached that would cede territory to Russia, concerns remain as Putin continues to frame the war’s justification in terms of undermining Ukraine’s sovereignty.
