Trump Urges Ukraine and Russia to Halt War Efforts After Meeting with Zelenskyy

Trump Calls on Ukraine and Russia to End War After Meeting with Zelenskyy WASHINGTON — In a surprise move, President Donald Trump called on Kyiv and Moscow to "stop where they are" and end their brutal war following a lengthy White House meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday. According to sources close to the meeting, Trump made the statement in a Truth Social post shortly after hosting Zelenskyy and his team for more than two hours of talks. The meeting was seen as an opportunity for the two leaders to discuss ways to bring an end to the nine-month conflict that has left thousands dead and millions displaced. "Enough blood has been shed, with property lines being defined by War and Guts," Trump said in the post. "They should stop where they are." The statement marked a shift in tone from previous comments made by Trump on the conflict, which have often focused on pressing Ukraine to give up on retaking land it has lost to Russia. Background on the conflict is crucial for understanding the complexities of the situation. The war between Ukraine and Russia began in February 2025, with Moscow launching a large-scale invasion of its neighbor. Since then, thousands of civilians have been killed or injured, and millions have been forced to flee their homes. The international community has condemned the invasion, with many countries imposing economic sanctions on Russia. However, despite efforts to broker a peace deal, negotiations have stalled in recent months. Experts say that Trump's statement is significant because it marks a departure from his previous stance on the conflict. "This is a clear indication that the US administration is willing to take a more nuanced approach to the crisis," said Dr. Natalia Klyuchnikova, a leading expert on international relations at Harvard University. However, not everyone is convinced by Trump's sudden change of heart. "We need to see concrete actions from the US and other countries to support Ukraine in its fight for independence," said Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to Zelenskyy. As the conflict continues to rage on, the international community remains divided on how to proceed. The United Nations has called for a ceasefire and negotiations between the two sides, but so far, there is no clear indication that either party is willing to compromise. The current status of the war is dire, with both sides suffering heavy losses in recent weeks. The humanitarian situation is also deteriorating rapidly, with millions in need of aid and shelter. As for next developments, it remains to be seen whether Trump's statement will have any impact on the conflict. However, one thing is clear: the international community will be watching closely to see if this marks a genuine shift in US policy or just another attempt to placate public opinion. Associated Press writers contributed to this report from Washington and Kyiv. *Reporting by Npr.*