US President Donald Trump Proposes Immediate Halt to Russia-Ukraine War
United States President Donald Trump has called for an immediate halt to fighting between Russia and Ukraine, suggesting that both nations freeze the war at current battle lines and “go home.”
Trump’s remarks, made late Sunday to reporters, mark his most direct intervention yet on the issue since returning to the White House. His proposal would effectively leave large areas of Ukrainian territory under Russian control, sparking intense debate among policymakers and allies.
“They should stop right now at the battle lines, go home, stop killing people and be done,” Trump said.
“It’s difficult to negotiate every little detail now — let them settle that later.”
Trump’s Proposal: ‘Let It Be Cut the Way It Is’
The current front line runs through Ukraine’s Donbas region, an industrial area that has seen relentless fighting since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Trump said about 78 percent of Donbas is already held by Russia, adding,
“You leave it the way it is right now. They can negotiate something later down the line.”
His comments suggest a temporary armistice that cements current territorial control — a move critics argue could legitimize Russian gains and weaken Ukraine’s sovereignty.
Ukraine Pushes Back: ‘We Will Reclaim All Our Land’
Ukraine’s government has repeatedly vowed to reclaim all occupied territories, including the Crimean Peninsula, annexed by Russia in 2014.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who met with Trump at the White House last week, urged the US to increase pressure on Vladimir Putin instead of rewarding aggression. In a recent interview with NBC News, Zelenskyy compared Putin to the Palestinian group Hamas, saying:
“Putin is something similar but stronger than Hamas.”
Zelenskyy also called for continued US support, including the delivery of long-range Tomahawk missiles, though Trump reportedly gave no clear answer on whether he would approve such a request.
Trump’s Balancing Act: Reducing US Role, Urging Europe to Step Up
Trump’s latest comments are consistent with his campaign promise to end the war “quickly” and reduce US involvement overseas.
Unlike former President Joe Biden, whose administration provided over $75 billion in aid to Ukraine, Trump has scaled back American assistance, encouraging European allies to take greater responsibility.
“Europe needs to arm Ukraine — they can buy weapons from us,” Trump said in earlier remarks this month.
Trump has also repeatedly criticized NATO’s expansion into Eastern Europe, echoing Moscow’s long-standing grievances that NATO’s presence near Russia’s borders provoked the 2022 invasion.
Upcoming Trump-Putin Meeting in Hungary
According to White House sources, Trump is expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Hungary in the coming weeks. The agenda reportedly includes discussions on a ceasefire framework, European security, and energy cooperation.
While details remain unclear, analysts suggest the meeting could mark the first major diplomatic contact between the two leaders since Trump took office earlier this year.
Shifting Diplomatic Landscape
Trump’s proposal comes as global attention remains divided between multiple conflicts, including the recent ceasefire in Gaza — another agreement credited to Trump’s diplomatic efforts. Zelenskyy hinted that the momentum from the Gaza truce could inspire a similar pause in Ukraine’s war.
However, critics warn that any “freeze” without clear accountability could lead to a prolonged stalemate, giving Russia time to consolidate occupied territories.
Background: The War’s Cost and Stalemate
Since February 2022, the Russia-Ukraine war has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions. Initial Russian offensives toward Kyiv failed, but the war has since hardened into a bloody stalemate in eastern Ukraine, centered on Donetsk, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia.
Ukraine continues to push for Western arms and aid, while Russia maintains control of key territories and has fortified defensive lines across the front.
Key Takeaways
- Trump calls for freezing the Russia-Ukraine war along existing battle lines.
- Proposal would leave Russia holding major parts of Donbas and Crimea.
- Zelenskyy rejects plan, urges Trump to pressure Putin instead.
- Trump-Putin meeting planned in Hungary could define next phase of diplomacy.
- US aid to Ukraine has been significantly reduced under Trump’s presidency.
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