Trump made his statement in a post on Truth Social while en route to Mar-a-Lago, within an hour of Zelenskyy leaving the White House.
“The meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine was very interesting, and cordial, but I told him, as I likewise strongly suggested to President Putin, that it is time to stop the killing, and make a DEAL,” Trump wrote.
“Enough blood has been shed, with property lines being defined by War and Guts. They [Ukraine and Russia] should stop where they are. Let both claim Victory, let History decide!”
Speaking to reporters outside the White House, Zelenskyy said territorial questions remain the “most sensitive” issue to be settled at peace talks, insisting that such negotiations must take place after a ceasefire.
“We must stop where we are now [on the battlefield], President Trump is correct on this,” said Zelenskyy.
“And then we can start discussing steps towards a long-term peace.”
The Ukrainian president added that robust security guarantees against future Russian invasions remain the top priority for Kyiv.
“We need strong security guarantees,” Zelenskyy told BBC’s Tom Bateman.
“Our nation is afraid that if we will have [cease]fire, we need security guarantees from the United States [so] Putin will not come again with aggression.”