US President Donald Trump told Volodymyr Zelensky and NATO leaders that Vladimir Putin is opposed to a temporary ceasefire and prefers a comprehensive peace agreement to end the war. This was reported by Axios journalist Barak Ravid, citing a source familiar with the details of the call.
🚨President Trump told Zelensky and NATO leaders that Putin doesn't want a ceasefire and prefers a comprehensive agreement to end the war. According to a source on the call Trump said: "I think a fast peace deal is better than a ceasefire"
— Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) August 16, 2025
According to the source, Trump voiced agreement with the Russian leader’s position. “I think a swift peace agreement is better than a ceasefire,” the source quoted Trump as saying.
The conversation between Trump, Zelensky and NATO leaders was described as “difficult.”
Earlier, however, The Economist journalist Oliver Carroll, citing sources, reported on a provisional deal to suspend air strikes ahead of the US–Russia–Ukraine leaders’ summit.