Trump: No Need for Ceasefire to Secure Ukraine Peace Deal

President Changes Mind as Allies Seek Security Promises in Washington

- David Smith

Donald Trump ruled out a ceasefire in Ukraine yesterday as Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his European allies visited the White House to push for US-backed security guarantees as part of any long-term peace deal.

The US president, who only last week warned Russia of "very severe consequences" if Vladimir Putin failed to agree to a halt the fighting, made clear yesterday that he had reversed his position.

Welcoming Zelenskyy to the hastily assembled meeting at the Oval Office, Trump referred to other conflicts he claimed to have ended, telling reporters: "I don't think you'd need a ceasefire. If you look at the six deals that I settled this year, they were all at war - I didn't do any ceasefires."

He did, however, say the US would help guarantee Ukraine's safety - something Kyiv has long said would be essential for a lasting peace. "When it comes to security, there's going to be a lot of help," said the US president, who also made it clear that European countries would be expected to carry the burden. "They are a first line of defense because they're there, but we'll help them out."

Trump also expressed hope that the talks with Zelenskyy could lead to a trilateral meeting with Putin. "I think there will be a reasonable chance of ending the war when we do that," said Trump, who added that he had just spoken to Putin "indirectly" and they were "going to have a phone call right after these meetings today - and we may or may not have a trilateral meeting."

Trump's meeting with Zelenskyy went more smoothly than their first encounter in the Oval Office six months ago, when the Ukrainian leader was ambushed and berated by Trump and Vice-President JD Vance.

This time, doubtless to the relief of European leaders who gathered for a second meeting at the White House, Zelenskyy gave Trump effusive thanks for the invitation and the pair even shared good-humored banter while Vance remained silent.