Washington/Moscow/Kyiv | August 16, 2025 :U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday signaled a major shift in Washington’s stance on the Ukraine war, saying Kyiv should strike a direct peace deal with Moscow rather than pursue an interim ceasefire. Speaking after a nearly three-hour summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, Trump said “Russia is a very big power, and they’re not,” urging Ukraine to “make a deal” to end the conflict.

The meeting, the first U.S.-Russia summit since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, ended without a ceasefire. Instead, both leaders claimed “progress” but offered few details.

Trump Moves Closer to Putin’s Position

Until recently, the U.S. had aligned with Ukraine and European allies in demanding a ceasefire as a first step before broader peace talks. On Saturday, Trump broke with that line, saying he and Putin agreed to push directly for a settlement. “The best way to end the horrific war … is to go directly to a peace agreement, not a mere ceasefire,” Trump posted on Truth Social.

The statement delighted Moscow, which has long rejected temporary pauses in fighting, arguing they give Ukraine time to rearm. Putin said he hoped U.S. allies would not undermine “emerging progress through provocation or intrigue.”

Russia has been advancing steadily on the battlefield, and the war — the bloodiest in Europe in 80 years — has already killed or wounded well over a million people, including thousands of civilians, according to analysts.

Ukraine Seeks Security Guarantees

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy responded swiftly, saying he would travel to Washington on Monday for talks with Trump. He confirmed he was open to a three-way summit with Trump and Putin, though the Kremlin insisted no such meeting had been discussed.

Speaking after a call with Trump, Zelenskiy emphasized Ukraine’s need for “lasting peace, not just another pause.” He demanded strong security guarantees to prevent future Russian aggression. Trump suggested negotiators had touched on land transfers and security arrangements, and told Fox News, “I think we’re pretty close to a deal … Ukraine has to agree to it. Maybe they’ll say no.”

European leaders also stressed the importance of binding guarantees. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said discussions pointed toward a “collective security clause” for Ukraine, similar to NATO’s Article 5, under which an attack on one ally is considered an attack on all.

Putin, surprisingly, appeared to soften on foreign involvement in post-war security arrangements, saying he agreed that Ukraine’s security “must be ensured.”

Mixed European Reactions

While some European officials cautiously welcomed Trump’s efforts, others were sharply critical. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said an end to the war felt “closer than ever” but vowed to tighten sanctions until Russia halts its offensive.

Others were less optimistic. Wolfgang Ischinger, Germany’s former ambassador to Washington, posted on X: “Putin got his red carpet treatment with Trump, while Trump got nothing. No ceasefire, no peace. 1-0 for Putin.” Cold War historian Sergey Radchenko echoed that sentiment, saying Putin “basically won this round because he got something for nothing.”

Symbolism and Strategy

For Putin, simply sitting beside Trump marked a diplomatic victory. The Kremlin leader has been isolated from most Western capitals since 2022, and only a week earlier Trump had threatened tougher sanctions. By shifting the U.S. focus from ceasefire to settlement, Putin secured a symbolic win without conceding on his core demands.

Trump, meanwhile, appeared eager to portray progress. He hinted that further meetings with Putin could take place — possibly even in Moscow. “We’ll speak to you very soon and probably see you again very soon,” Trump said. Putin smiled and replied in English: “Next time in Moscow.” Trump quipped he “might get a little heat on that one,” but left open the possibility.

War Grinds On

Despite diplomatic maneuvering, the reality on the ground remains unchanged. Both sides launched air attacks overnight, while heavy fighting continued along the front lines.

Trump also signaled he would temporarily hold off on imposing tariffs on China for buying Russian oil but warned he might reconsider “in two or three weeks.”

For now, Ukraine’s fate hangs on whether Trump can turn rhetorical “progress” into a genuine framework for peace. With Europe wary, Russia emboldened, and Kyiv insisting on firm security guarantees, the Alaska summit underscored just how complicated ending the war remains.