10:53
Analysis: Trump abandons ceasefire stance in a move that suits Russia

By Dominic Waghorn, international affairs editor, in Kyiv

Donald Trump appears to have shifted significantly towards the Russian position on the best way to end the war in Ukraine, following talks with Vladimir Putin.

Posting on Truth Social [see our 9:58 post] the US president said: "It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up."

That would appear to be an about turn.

On the way to Alaska, Trump had said he would not be happy if Putin did not agree to a ceasefire there. He seems to have abandoned that position.

Russia insists a full agreement must be reached before a ceasefire. That allows Moscow to continue fighting this war it believes it is winning. Trump appears to have swallowed that line.

That will be disappointing to Ukrainians. A few weeks ago, the US president had seemed on the brink of imposing far more severe sanctions if Russia did not agree to a ceasefire.

In an interview with Fox News he said it is up to president Zelenskyy now to "make a deal". That is seen here as tantamount to accepting surrender.

If Trump is now hewing further and further towards siding with Russia in this conflict, can Ukraine's European allies take the US's place or will Putin eventually prevail?