Former U.S. President Donald Trump has emphasized the need for a permanent peace agreement to end the Russia-Ukraine war, rather than a temporary ceasefire. Speaking after a 90-minute meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House, Trump said, “I personally like ceasefires because they stop the killings immediately, but in the end, we need a sustainable peace deal.” However, German Chancellor Merz stated that a ceasefire must precede any peace talks. “I cannot imagine negotiations without a ceasefire. Russia must be pressured into stopping hostilities first,” he said.