Trump says he seeks peace deal, not ceasefire
Photo: US President Donald Trump (Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump, following talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and EU leaders, has declared his intention to pursue a direct peace agreement, according to his post on the social media platform Truth Social.
The US president reported on a successful meeting with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin in Alaska and an overnight phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders, including the NATO Secretary General.
"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 said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will arrive at the Oval Office in Washington on Monday for further talks with Trump.
Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska
On the evening of August 15 in Anchorage, Alaska, US President Donald Trump met with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, with the war in Ukraine as the main topic. No ceasefire agreement was reached during the negotiations – further developments, according to Trump, depend on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The American leader advised Zelenskyy to "make a deal" with Russia and suggested that the result could be a swift trilateral summit of the leaders of Ukraine, the US, and Russia.
US Senator Lindsey Graham expressed his belief that such a meeting could end the war by Christmas. If it does not take place, Washington may increase pressure on Russia and on countries that continue to purchase Russian oil and gas.
As a result of the Alaska talks, Trump and Putin reportedly reached a preliminary agreement on a ceasefire in the airspace.
However, as a source told RBC-Ukraine, expectations of a quick halt to hostilities were not met – Putin opposed an immediate truce and continues to prioritize his political ambitions regarding Ukraine.
The source also confirmed that Trump is continuing to seek ways to achieve concrete results as quickly as possible in order to advance the peace process.
