“The positions are clear. A real peace must be achieved, one that will be lasting, not just another pause between Russian invasions,” Zelenskyy wrote. “Killings must stop as soon as possible, the fire must cease both on the battlefield and in the sky, as well as against our port infrastructure. All Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians must be released and the children abducted by Russia must be returned.”
Today, following a conversation with President Trump, we further coordinated positions with European leaders. The positions are clear. A real peace must be achieved, one that will be lasting, not just another pause between Russian invasions.
Killings must stop as soon as…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 16, 2025
Zelenskyy said thousands of Ukrainians remain in captivity and that pressure on Moscow must continue while “aggression and occupation” persist. He also warned of possible escalations, writing: “Based on the political and diplomatic situation around Ukraine, and knowing Russia’s treachery, we anticipate that in the coming days the Russian army may try to increase pressure and strikes against Ukrainian positions in order to create more favorable political circumstances for talks with global actors.”
Trump, who had previously called for a ceasefire, said after his meeting with Putin that all parties agreed peace required more than a temporary halt in fighting. “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,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
HISTORIC ALASKA SUMMIT
“We had an extremely productive meeting… we’re going to stop thousands of people a week from being killed.” – President Donald J. Trump 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/Totwpioqed
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) August 16, 2025
He added that if Monday’s meeting with Zelenskyy was also successful, a further meeting with Putin would be scheduled, saying this could mean “potentially, millions of people’s lives will be saved.” The visit will be Zelenskyy’s first return to the Oval Office since February, when a public row with Trump caused the collapse of a U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal.
Although no settlement was reached in Friday’s discussions, Trump described his talks with Putin as a “successful meeting with a lot of progress.” Putin also praised the summit, calling it a “constructive atmosphere of mutual respect.”
Following Trump’s discussions with Putin, European leaders voiced support for his peace efforts but underlined that Ukraine’s security must be guaranteed. In a joint statement, French President Emmanuel Macron, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: “It will be up to Ukraine to make decisions on its territory. International borders must not be changed by force. No limitations should be placed on Ukraine’s armed forces or on its cooperation with third countries. Russia cannot have a veto against Ukraine‘s pathway to EU and NATO.”
Speaking to Fox News before returning to Washington, Trump suggested the responsibility may now fall heavily on Zelenskyy. He said the Ukrainian president would need “to get it done,” though European nations would remain involved in the process.
Source: Fox News.
