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After meeting Zelenskyy, President Trump urged Russia and Ukraine to "stop where they are" and end the war, saying "enough blood has been shed," while holding off on missile sales to Kyiv.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump. (Photo: AP)
New Delhi,UPDATED: Oct 18, 2025 05:14 IST
US President Donald Trump on Friday called for an immediate halt to the Russia-Ukraine war, urging both sides to “stop where they are” just hours after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House.
“Enough blood has been shed, with property lines being defined by War and Guts,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. “They should stop where they are. Let both claim Victory, let History decide.”
The post followed what Trump described as a “very interesting and cordial” meeting with Zelenskyy, where the leaders discussed security guarantees and Ukraine’s request for long-range Tomahawk missiles.
Trump, however, signalled he was not ready to approve the missile sale, even as Kyiv continues to press for the weapons it says are crucial for countering Russia’s offensive. In recent days, Trump had shown openness to the idea — despite warnings from Russian President Vladimir Putin that such a move would escalate tensions further.
The meeting came a day after Trump’s phone call with Putin, during which both leaders reportedly discussed “possible steps toward peace.”
WE TRUST TRUMP WANTS TO FINISH THIS WAR: ZELENSKYY
Following the White House meeting, Zelenskyy said he was encouraged by Trump’s tone and reiterated Ukraine’s trust in Washington’s leadership.
“We trust that President Trump wants to finish this war,” Zelenskyy told reporters, calling the discussions “productive.” He said the two sides also talked about security guarantees and military cooperation, including the development of drone systems.
Zelenskyy added that he remained “realistic” about acquiring Tomahawk missiles but said Russia “fears” them because of what they could achieve in combination with Ukraine’s existing arsenal.
Asked about possible peace negotiations, the Ukrainian president said he was open to “bilateral or trilateral formats — any kind of format that can bring us closer to peace.”
Zelenskyy also said the two leaders did not discuss Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy facilities and that Trump “understands the most difficult questions in any talks will be about territory.”
A BALANCING ACT
Trump’s comments highlight his push to broker what he calls a “real peace” — one that stops the fighting but leaves contested territory to be decided “by history.” His post, laced with characteristic bluntness, underscored both his frustration with the conflict and his desire to position the US as a dealmaker rather than a combat supplier.
After meeting Trump, Zelenskyy reportedly held calls with European leaders to brief them on the talks and possible next steps. The details of those calls have not been made public, but Ukrainian media reported that they focused on security coordination and the status of future US military support.
- Ends
Published By:
Aashish Vashistha
Published On:
Oct 18, 2025
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