Trump urges Russia and Ukraine to freeze war along current battle lines

United States President Donald Trump has proposed freezing the Ukraine war at current positions, a plan that would leave Moscow in control of vast swathes of Ukrainian territory.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday evening, Trump urged both nations to halt hostilities immediately and address territorial questions in subsequent negotiations. The existing front line cuts through Donbas, a strategic industrial region in eastern Ukraine.

Trump advocated for an immediate cessation. “What I say is they should stop right now at the battle lines, go home, stop killing people and be done,” he said, acknowledging that resolving final territorial arrangements would prove challenging.

When pressed on Donbas—the conflict’s bloodiest theatre—Trump proposed accepting the status quo. “Let it be cut the way it is. It’s cut up right now – I think 78 per cent of the land is already taken by Russia. You leave it the way it is right now. They can negotiate something later on down the line.”

Policy reversal on territorial integrity

The proposal contradicts Trump’s recent assertions. Just last month, the president declared Ukraine capable of military victory and full territorial recovery, including Crimea and other Russian-occupied areas in the east. Kyiv has consistently demanded the return of all Ukrainian land.

Trump, who campaigned on rapidly ending the Russia-Ukraine war, will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Hungary within weeks.

Ukrainian president pushes for tougher stance

Following last week’s White House meeting with Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy intensified pressure on the US president to take a harder line with Moscow. Trump had suggested at that meeting that swift resolution remained possible “if flexibility is shown”.

Zelenskyy drew a stark parallel in a Sunday interview with NBC News, comparing Putin to Hamas. “Putin is something similar but more strong than Hamas,” the Ukrainian leader said, urging Trump to increase pressure on the Kremlin.

The Ukrainian president also referenced Trump’s Gaza ceasefire, suggesting it created “momentum” for resolving the Ukraine conflict.

Weapons dispute continues

Zelenskyy renewed Ukraine’s request for long-range Tomahawk missiles during the White House visit. Trump neither approved nor rejected the request outright, according to Zelenskyy, though the US president has suggested America must preserve its Tomahawk inventory for national security purposes.

Shifting American support

Washington’s approach to Ukraine has transformed dramatically under Trump. The Biden administration provided unwavering backing, channelling tens of billions of dollars in military, budgetary and humanitarian assistance to Kyiv.

Trump has slashed aid levels whilst pushing European allies to arm Ukraine by purchasing American weapons systems.