Donald Trump Suggests "Best Way" To End Russia-Ukraine War After Meeting Putin In Alaska

The war in Ukraine has once again taken center stage in U.S. foreign policy - this time through Donald Trump's lens of deal-making. What began as a push for an immediate ceasefire has now evolved into something more ambitious: a comprehensive peace agreement.

Trump's shift came after his Alaska summit with Vladimir Putin - a meeting that produced no dramatic breakthrough, but reshaped the former president's strategy. On his flight home, Trump reached out to Volodymyr Zelensky and key European leaders, arguing that ceasefires are little more than "temporary pauses" in violence. If the war is to end, he suggested, it must be through direct negotiation and a lasting settlement.

Europe Splits on Trump's Gambit

Not everyone shares Trump's optimism. Kaja Kallas, the EU's foreign policy chief, accused Putin of playing for time, with no real intention of ending the war. Yet Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz struck a different chord, calling Trump's promise of U.S. security guarantees to Kyiv a meaningful step forward.

The heart of the debate lies in Putin's proposal: Ukraine would surrender Donetsk and Lugansk outright, while frontlines in two other contested regions would be frozen. Trump didn't dismiss it. For Kyiv, however, the idea of conceding Donbas remains unthinkable.

Zelensky in the Hot Seat

All eyes now turn to Zelensky's upcoming visit to Washington. Last time he met Trump, sparks flew over Ukrainian gratitude for U.S. aid. This time, Trump has made it clear: Zelensky must lead the negotiations himself, though with Europe standing alongside. Paris, London, and Berlin will first huddle virtually on Sunday to align their positions.

War Grinds On

Meanwhile, the conflict rages. Kyiv reported a new wave of Russian attacks overnight - 85 drones and a ballistic missile. In Moscow, Putin called his talks with Trump "useful" and warned against Western "intrigues" that might derail what he framed as progress.

Yet Europe's stance remains firm: sanctions will stay until any deal ensures not just peace, but justice. Whether Trump's push for a "big deal" can deliver that - or simply freeze the war in place - is the question hanging over Washington, Brussels, and Kyiv.