Washington (TDI): After his meeting with the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, at the White House on Friday, Trump has called on both Kyiv and Moscow to “stop where they are” and bring the war to an end.
The two-hour meeting came at a critical juncture in the conflict as Trump, whose stance had recently leaned toward backing Ukraine’s counter-offensive with advanced missiles, appeared to reverse course.
In a Truth Social post after the meeting, he declared: “Enough blood has been shed… Let both claim victory, let History decide.”
He followed this up by telling reporters in Florida that the US favors an immediate end to the war and that Moscow can retain the territory it has captured.
Ukraine has, in the past, strongly objected to giving away its captured territory. However, both Ukraine and Europe have called for an immediate ceasefire to be followed by settlement talks.
Zelensky referred to Trump’s post and indicated that Ukraine understands the need to stop for the moment, but avoided confirming any intent to cede territory.
Read More: Trump to Meet Putin Once Again in Hopes of Diplomatic End to War in Ukraine
“The president is right we have to stop where we are, and then to speak,” Zelensky said. Meanwhile, Trump revealed he is reluctant to provide long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, citing US stockpile concerns.
The visit follows a direct call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, after which Trump announced plans to meet Putin in Budapest.
The call was arranged on Putin’s request and was meant to warn against providing Ukraine with the long-range missiles that can strike deep inside Russia.
After the call, Trump said that the missiles are very powerful and no one would want to be struck by such destructive weapons; a statement which indicated how his meeting with Zelensky would unfold.
Ukraine, which was hopeful for US to provide it with the Tomahawk missiles, is once again on the same footing; where it seeks assurances regarding its security in the long run if the war comes to an end. The matter of captured territory remains a sticking point.
The Ukrainian leadership has long insisted that recovery of all territory lost since the 2022 invasion remains non-negotiable; a point which makes peace settlements ineffective.
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