After Meeting with Zelenskyy, Trump Urges Ukraine and Russia to ‘Stop Where They Are’ and Bring an End to the War

WASHINGTON – Following an extensive discussion at the White House on Friday, President Donald Trump urged both Kyiv and Moscow to halt their ongoing conflict immediately, calling for an end to the devastating war that has gripped the region.

Since resuming office nine months ago, Trump has frequently expressed his exasperation with the war. However, his latest remarks suggest a renewed inclination toward encouraging Ukraine to cease efforts to reclaim territories lost to Russian forces.

In a post on Truth Social shortly after hosting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his delegation for over two hours, Trump stated, “The bloodshed must end, with borders defined by the realities of war and courage. Both sides should stop where they stand. Let each claim victory and leave history to judge.”

Upon arriving in Florida for the weekend, Trump reiterated his call for an immediate ceasefire, implying that Russia should retain control over the areas it currently occupies.

“The battle lines, wherever they are, should be respected,” Trump told reporters. “Both parties should withdraw to these lines, return to their families, and cease all hostilities. That should be the conclusion.”

This stance marks a notable pivot in Trump’s approach. In recent weeks, he had shown increasing impatience with Russian President Vladimir Putin and appeared more willing to support Ukraine’s efforts to reclaim lost ground.

During a meeting with Zelenskyy at the U.N. General Assembly in New York last month, Trump expressed optimism that Ukraine could recover all territories seized since Russia’s invasion began in February 2022-a significant departure from his earlier position that Kyiv would need to concede some land to achieve peace.

Following Friday’s meeting, Zelenskyy emphasized the urgency of a ceasefire and the start of peace talks, though he avoided directly addressing Trump’s suggestion that Ukraine should relinquish territory.

“The president is correct that we need to pause where we are and then engage in dialogue,” Zelenskyy responded when questioned about Trump’s social media statement, which he had not yet seen.

A Shift in Approach

Trump’s tone softened after a lengthy phone conversation with Putin on Thursday, during which he announced plans to meet the Russian leader in Budapest in the near future.

President Donald Trump, second right, and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, seated left, engage with reporters before a White House lunch on October 17, 2025, Washington.
Alex Brandon/AP

During the meeting, Trump indicated reluctance to provide Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles, a weapon system Kyiv views as pivotal in pressuring Putin toward peace negotiations.

Zelenskyy proposed a deal early in the talks: Ukraine would supply the U.S. with its advanced drones in exchange for the Tomahawk missiles. However, Trump expressed reservations about depleting U.S. stockpiles, marking a reversal from his recent openness to the idea.

“I must ensure our country remains fully equipped because the future is unpredictable, whether in war or peace,” Trump explained. “Ideally, the conflict would end without the need for Tomahawks.”

In an interview with NBC’s Kristen Welker on “Meet the Press,” Zelenskyy acknowledged that while Trump did not commit to supplying the missiles, he also did not reject the possibility.

“It’s positive that President Trump didn’t say ‘no,’ but he also didn’t say ‘yes’ today,” Zelenskyy remarked. “We need Tomahawks because relying solely on Ukrainian drones limits our operational capabilities.”

Trump’s hesitation disappointed Ukrainian officials, especially after days of signals suggesting he might authorize the missile sales despite Putin’s warnings that such a move would damage U.S.-Russia relations.

The Significance of Tomahawks

Following his call with Putin, Trump downplayed the likelihood of Ukraine receiving Tomahawk missiles, which have an operational range of approximately 995 miles (1,600 kilometers).

Zelenskyy has sought these missiles to enable strikes deep within Russian territory, targeting military installations, energy infrastructure, and other strategic assets. He believes that the threat of such attacks could compel Putin to seriously consider direct peace talks.

Putin cautioned Trump that supplying Kyiv with Tomahawks “would not alter the battlefield dynamics but would severely damage bilateral relations,” according to Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s foreign policy advisor.

This meeting marked the fifth in-person encounter between Trump and Zelenskyy since the former’s return to the presidency in January.

Trump indicated uncertainty about Zelenskyy’s participation in the upcoming Budapest talks, suggesting that separate meetings with the leaders of Russia and Ukraine might be the most feasible way to facilitate negotiations.

“These two leaders have a difficult relationship, so we want to create a comfortable environment for all parties,” Trump said.

Zelenskyy, however, emphasized that the hostility toward Putin is grounded in reality, not personal animosity.

“They attacked us, making them our enemy. They show no intention of stopping, so the enmity is justified. It’s not about personal feelings, though naturally, we do despise our enemy,” Zelenskyy stated.

Throughout his 2024 campaign, Trump promised a swift resolution to the conflict, but his peace initiatives have stalled since a diplomatic surge in August, which included a summit with Putin in Alaska and a White House meeting with Zelenskyy and European allies.

Trump left those meetings confident he was paving the way for direct talks between Zelenskyy and Putin. Yet, Putin has shown no willingness to meet Zelenskyy, and Russian attacks on Ukraine have intensified.

When asked if he feared Putin was manipulating him, Trump admitted it was possible but expressed confidence in his ability to manage the Russian leader.

“I’ve been outmaneuvered by the best throughout my life and still came out ahead,” Trump said. “I believe I’m quite skilled at this.”