Following a recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, US President Donald Trump has indicated a pursuit of a comprehensive peace agreement in Ukraine, rather than initially negotiating a ceasefire.
Trump stated on Saturday that he and European leaders, along with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, are in agreement that this approach represents “the best way” to end the ongoing conflict. He further explained that ceasefires have a history of being “often not adhered to.
The US President also confirmed a scheduled meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on Monday. “If everything works out” Trump stated, a meeting with President Putin will be arranged following that discussion. However, he did not elaborate on specific details regarding the proposed “agreement” discussed with Putin.
Following a summit held in Alaska, President Trump briefed European leaders on the content of his conversation with his Russian counterpart. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz subsequently hosted a follow-up discussion amongst the group to coordinate a unified approach to future steps in a potential peace process for Ukraine, according to sources within the government. The Chancellor then reportedly informed the Federal Cabinet of the outcomes of the meeting.
