Daijiworld Media Network - New York

New York, Aug 16: In a major shift in diplomatic strategy, US President Donald Trump announced that he is shelving the idea of an immediate ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, instead pushing directly for a comprehensive peace agreement to end the war.

Following a late-night summit in Alaska with Russian President Vladimir Putin and subsequent calls with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders, Trump posted on Truth Social early Saturday morning:

“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.”

This marks a departure from Trump’s earlier insistence on a ceasefire as a precondition for talks. Just a day before the summit, while flying aboard Air Force One, he told reporters, “I want to see a ceasefire rapidly... I'm not going to be happy if it's not today.”

Despite his optimism, Trump acknowledged that key issues remain unresolved. At a post-summit news conference, he stated, “There are a couple of big ones that we haven’t quite gotten there on. One is probably the most significant, but we have a very good chance of getting there.”

Zelensky and European leaders responded cautiously to Trump’s new stance. In a post on X, the Ukrainian president emphasized the need for an immediate ceasefire and warned that a delay could allow Russia to gain further ground:

“We must stop the killings as soon as possible—ceasefire on the battlefield, in the skies, and against our ports.”

Zelensky also urged Trump to reinforce sanctions against Russia if negotiations with Putin collapse.

“Sanctions should be strengthened if there is no trilateral meeting or if Russia evades an honest end to the war,” he stated.

Zelensky is scheduled to meet Trump at the White House on Monday, with Trump indicating a potential follow-up meeting with Putin depending on the outcome.

Meanwhile, a joint statement from European leaders, calling themselves the "Coalition of the Willing", expressed cautious support for Trump’s diplomatic push.

“We welcome President Trump’s efforts to stop the killing in Ukraine, end Russia’s war of aggression, and achieve just and lasting peace,” the leaders of Britain, France, Germany, Poland, Italy, the Netherlands, Finland, and the European Council said in a statement.

However, they stopped short of endorsing the peace-over-ceasefire approach and reaffirmed the need for ironclad security guarantees for Ukraine.
French President Emmanuel Macron also posted on X, saying Europe would continue to “maintain pressure on Russia” and pursue a peace that is “solid, lasting, and respectful of Ukraine’s rights”.

With diplomacy intensifying and global stakes rising, all eyes are now on Monday’s White House meeting between Trump and Zelensky — a potential turning point in the efforts to end the devastating war.