Donald Trump’s decision to pivot away from his earlier demand for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine has triggered alarm in Kyiv and across Europe. The shift followed his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, where Trump said a full peace agreement would be preferable to what he called a fragile ceasefire. Ukraine and its European allies have long maintained that halting hostilities must be the first step, accusing Moscow of using delay to secure military advantages.

Moscow has repeatedly argued that any ceasefire must be tied to a broader political deal reflecting its interests, including demands for Ukrainian troop withdrawals from parts of Donbas. Trump echoed this by stating that “the best way to end the horrific war” was to strike a peace deal directly, warning that ceasefires “often do not hold up.” Analysts noted the stance effectively aligned with Russia’s conditions, which Ukraine views as unacceptable.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who spoke to Trump after the Alaska talks, called for killings to stop “as soon as possible,” while stressing that attacks on both cities and ports must cease. European leaders voiced concern that Trump’s position undermines weeks of diplomacy aimed at securing de-escalation. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer cautiously welcomed US “openness,” but others warned the shift risked emboldening Russia.