Trump Calls on Ukraine, Russia to ‘Stop Where They Are,’ End War/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ After meeting with President Zelenskyy, Donald Trump called on Ukraine and Russia to halt their war and “stop where they are.” The comments suggest Trump is urging a ceasefire that freezes the conflict along current battle lines. The appeal came amid shifting U.S. support for Ukraine and new diplomatic overtures to Russia.
Trump Ukraine Ceasefire Push: Quick Looks
- Trump urges Ukraine and Russia to “stop where they are.”
- Remarks follow a lengthy White House meeting with Zelenskyy.
- Trump suggests freezing the war along current battle lines.
- A recent call with Putin influenced Trump’s stance.
- Trump signals reluctance to provide Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles.
- Zelenskyy supports negotiations but avoids direct comment on land concessions.
- Trump to meet Putin in Budapest, may exclude Zelenskyy.
- Ukraine still pressing for advanced weaponry, citing defense needs.
- Trump warns against depleting U.S. weapons stockpile.
- Tensions persist as Russia intensifies attacks on Ukraine.
Deep Look
Trump Urges Ukraine and Russia to Halt War Following Zelenskyy Meeting and Putin Call
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Friday called for Ukraine and Russia to “stop where they are” and end the war, signaling a renewed push for a ceasefire that aligns with the current battle lines. The appeal came just hours after a high-stakes White House meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and shortly after a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Trump posted on Truth Social shortly after hosting Zelenskyy, writing, “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!”
Later that evening, speaking to reporters in Florida, Trump doubled down on his position, suggesting that the two nations accept the current front lines and cease hostilities.
“You stop at the battle line and both sides should go home, go to their families, stop the killing,” he said.
A Shift in Trump’s Ukraine Position
The remarks mark a notable pivot in Trump’s approach to the war. Just weeks ago, during a meeting with Zelenskyy at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Trump had expressed confidence that Ukraine could reclaim all territory seized by Russia since the 2022 invasion. That optimism now appears to have softened, as Trump reverts to a more cautious stance favoring immediate de-escalation over continued military engagement.
Zelenskyy: Ceasefire, Then Talks
Zelenskyy appeared to align with the general tone of de-escalation but avoided directly commenting on Trump’s suggestion that Ukraine abandon its territorial goals. “The president is right we have to stop where we are, and then to speak,” he said, indicating openness to negotiations without explicitly endorsing a land freeze.
Putin Call and Budapest Talks Looming
Trump’s evolving position comes just a day after a phone call with Putin, in which the Russian leader reportedly warned that providing Ukraine with advanced weapons — specifically Tomahawk cruise missiles — would severely harm U.S.-Russia relations.
Trump announced plans to meet Putin in Budapest in the coming weeks and hinted that Zelenskyy might not be present, proposing a “double meeting” instead.
“These two leaders do not like each other,” Trump explained, emphasizing a need to “make it comfortable for everybody.”
Zelenskyy, for his part, stressed that his opposition to Putin is not personal, but based on Russia’s aggressive military actions.
“They attacked us, so they are an enemy for us. It’s not about feelings,” he said.
Tomahawks Off the Table — For Now
Zelenskyy entered the White House talks with a proposal: Ukraine would provide the U.S. with advanced drones in exchange for American Tomahawk cruise missiles — long-range weapons capable of striking deep inside Russia. The missiles, with a range of 995 miles (1,600 kilometers), are viewed by Ukraine as critical leverage in bringing Russia to the negotiating table.
But Trump signaled hesitancy. “I have an obligation also to make sure that we’re completely stocked up as a country,” he said. “We’d much rather have the war be over, to be honest.”
In a separate interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Zelenskyy remained cautiously optimistic. “It’s good that President Trump didn’t say ‘no,’ but for today, didn’t say ‘yes,’” he remarked.
Despite earlier signals from the Trump administration suggesting openness to the missile deal, the recent call with Putin appears to have changed the calculus.
Putin’s Warning and the Risks
According to Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov, Putin warned during their call that supplying Tomahawks to Ukraine would not shift the war’s outcome but would seriously damage diplomatic relations. The missile request reflects Ukraine’s need for a more powerful deterrent as Russian strikes intensify across the country.
Zelenskyy argued that without U.S. missiles, Ukraine would remain overly reliant on its domestic drone technology, which, while effective, lacks the reach and impact of U.S. precision weaponry.
Trump Confident in Diplomatic Strategy
While Trump admitted the risk that Putin might be using diplomacy as a stalling tactic, he expressed confidence in his ability to negotiate.
“I’ve been played all my life by the best of them, and I came out really well,” he told reporters. “I think I’m pretty good at this stuff.”
Despite a stalled diplomatic push over the summer — including a summit with Putin in Alaska and a separate White House meeting with European allies — Trump still believes he is close to brokering a solution.
However, Russia has shown no sign of dialing down its aggression. In fact, Moscow has continued to escalate military strikes across eastern and southern Ukraine, dampening hopes for immediate progress.
Outlook Remains Uncertain
As Trump prepares for another meeting with Putin, the future of U.S. policy in Ukraine remains in flux. While Trump insists he can bring the war to a close, his shifting rhetoric, cautious arms policy, and willingness to engage Putin without Zelenskyy raise questions about what any future deal might look like — and whether it would leave Ukraine whole.
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