Trump has announced a surprising shift in his Ukraine strategy, suggesting to move past a ceasefire and directly toward a permanent peace agreement with Russia. After meeting with President Putin, Trump stated on Truth Social that a peace deal is the quickest path to end the ongoing conflict, claiming ceasefires frequently "do not last." His upcoming meeting with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has set the stage for potential negotiations, with Trump encouraging the Ukrainian leader to consider a peace agreement.

President Zelensky, however, is adamant about the need for a genuine, lasting peace, emphasizing the necessity to stop the violence. Previously, he advocated for a swift ceasefire as a precursor to discussing a long-term resolution. Reports suggest that Putin's side has offered Ukraine terms including ceding control over the eastern Donetsk region in exchange for a freeze on frontline hostilities.

Diplomatic sources indicate that European leaders are apprehensive about Trump possibly pressing Zelensky to accept Putin’s proposals. Trump, suggesting that some territorial exchanges could be necessary, has a history of strict rhetoric towards Russia but appears to be softening his approach. He remarked that negotiating requires compromise, observing the power dynamics at play.

While Putin described their summit as productive, European leaders, including the UK and France, reaffirmed their commitment to support Ukraine through collaborative dialogue, emphasizing that territorial decisions should solely be made by Ukraine.

The reaction in Ukraine to this sudden pivot in Trump’s approach has been one of frustration and concern, driven by fears over territorial security and the potential consolidation of Russian influence in the region.