Donald Trump says Russia should keep seized Ukraine land, urges end to war
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump has reignited global debate after saying Russia should be allowed to keep the Ukrainian land it has seized since invading nearly four years ago.
Speaking shortly after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday, Trump called for an immediate end to the war and said fighting should stop along the current frontlines.
“It is time to stop the killing and make a deal. Enough blood has been shed, with property lines being defined by war and guts. They should stop where they are,” Trump said. “Let both claim victory, let history decide. No more shooting, no more death, no more vast and unsustainable sums of money spent. Thousands of people being slaughtered each and every week — no more, go home to your families in peace,” he added.
Donald Trump calls for peace based on current frontlines
Trump reiterated the same message while speaking to reporters after landing in Florida later that evening.
“Go by the battle line wherever it is or else it gets too complicated. Stop right now at the battle line,” he said
Trump after talks with Zelensky: "Stop at the battle line and both sides should go home, go to their families, stop the killing, and that should be it.
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) October 18, 2025
Stop right now at the battle line. I told that to President Zelensky. I told it to President Putin." pic.twitter.com/fXaXKduZOt
The statement, which effectively proposes freezing territorial control along current frontlines, comes amid continued Russian strikes on Ukrainian civilian areas that have drawn condemnation from world leaders and human rights groups.
Meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky follows phone call with Vladimir Putin
The meeting between Trump and Zelensky came just a day after Trump spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin for nearly two hours, a call he described as making “great progress” toward ending the war that began with Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
During his remarks with Zelensky, Trump expressed surprise at the tension between the two presidents. “There’s a lot of bad blood with the two presidents,” he said. “These two leaders do not like each other.”
Zelensky maintained a diplomatic tone, thanking Trump for his role in achieving a ceasefire in the Middle East. “Again, congratulations with your successful ceasefire in the Middle East. Thank you. Thank you so much,” he said.
Donald Trump defends US arms stockpile amid missile debate
Trump also appeared cautious about sending additional weapons to Ukraine, pointing to US defense priorities.
“What’s going to happen if the United States is in a conflict and we need the Tomahawks? That’s the problem. We need Tomahawks,” he said, referring to long-range missiles capable of reaching deep into Russian territory.
Despite ongoing criticism of Putin’s invasion, Trump emphasized his “good relationship” with the Russian leader and hinted at another possible meeting in Budapest, where he said talks could continue on a peace deal.
Donald Trump shifts tone on Ukraine conflict
Since returning to office, Trump has alternated between criticizing Putin’s aggression and stressing his ability to broker peace — insisting the war would never have started under his first administration.
“This is a war that would have never started if I were President,” Trump wrote, adding that diplomacy, not escalation, is the only path forward.
