Trump seeks permanent ceasefire to end Russia-Ukraine war, White House says

US President Donald Trump has called for a permanent ceasefire to bring an end to the ongoing war in Ukraine, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.

In a briefing on April 28, Leavitt expressed that Trump is growing increasingly frustrated with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, urging both leaders to engage in negotiations to resolve the conflict, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

Leavitt highlighted that while President Putin had proposed a temporary ceasefire earlier in the day, Trump is insistent on a lasting solution.

"The president is clear in his position that a permanent ceasefire is necessary to end this war," Leavitt said, underlining that Trump’s preference is for a long-term resolution to prevent further escalation and suffering.

Despite this, Trump said last night that he felt Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was acting "calmer" after the pair's meeting in St Peter's Basilica over the weekend.

Leavitt added that meeting between the two leaders showed Trump "wants to be a peacemaker president, which he was in his first term", adding he "intends to do that again".

The call for a permanent ceasefire aligns with Trump’s ongoing stance on the need for diplomacy and an end to the war, which has been raging for over a year. The conflict, which began in February 2022, has led to significant loss of life and displacement, drawing condemnation from the international community and prompting widespread sanctions against Russia.

By Vafa Guliyeva