After sitting down with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on Friday, US President Donald Trump urged both Kyiv and Moscow to immediately stop the war and keep positions as they currently stand.
Expressing growing frustration over the ongoing war, Trump posted 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!”, reports UNB/AP.
Later, while speaking to journalists in Florida, he reiterated his position, suggesting that front-line positions should remain fixed rather than shifting further through continued fighting.
“Stop at the battle line and both sides should go home… stop the killing, and that should be it.”
This marks a departure from his earlier stance, when he had sounded hopeful about Ukraine reclaiming areas lost since the February 2022 invasion. In September, following a meeting with Zelenskyy in New York, Trump had said he believed Ukraine could recover its territory.
Zelenskyy, reacting to Trump’s remarks, offered a cautious note, saying:
“The president is right we have to stop where we are, and then to speak.”
The shift in tone from Trump came shortly after a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday. He also announced an upcoming trip to Budapest for a possible meeting with Putin, hinting that Zelenskyy could be invited as well.
During Friday’s discussions, Trump showed hesitation toward allowing Ukraine access to Tomahawk cruise missiles. Zelenskyy had proposed exchanging advanced Ukrainian drones for the weapons, but Trump indicated concern about US military stockpiles.
“We’d much rather have the war be over, to be honest,” he said.
Zelenskyy later commented on the missile issue, pointing out:
“It’s good that President Trump didn’t say ‘no,’ but for today, didn’t say ‘yes.’”
Ukrainian officials argue that long-range Tomahawks would give them the ability to strike critical Russian infrastructure and pressure Moscow into talks. But after speaking with Putin, Trump began downplaying the potential missile transfer, aligning with Putin’s warning that it could harm relations with Washington.
Russia has not signaled any intention to engage directly with Zelenskyy, despite Trump campaigning on a promise to bring the conflict to a quick end. Diplomatic attempts have been complicated since his Alaska meeting with Putin in August and later sessions with European leaders and Zelenskyy.
Asked whether Putin could be using him as leverage, Trump replied:
“I’ve been played all my life by the best of them, and I came out really well. I think I’m pretty good at this stuff.”
Talks of a potential dual meeting in Hungary remain open, though Zelenskyy made clear Ukraine’s stance on Moscow’s actions, stating:
“They attacked us, so they are an enemy for us… it is not about someone just hating someone else. Although, undoubtedly, we hate the enemy.”
