The Ukraine peace puzzle: What ending the war means to Trump, Putin and Zelensky, and why that’s a problem

As the war in Ukraine drags into its fourth year, the world is once again watching a flurry of high-stakes diplomacy unfold. What makes this round different is that Donald Trump, back in the White House, has thrust himself into the centre of negotiations. In just a week, he has met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska and hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House, alongside key European leaders.

On the surface, all three leaders are talking about peace. Trump says he wants to end a war that has drained Western resources and unsettled global markets. Putin insists he is open to a “settlement” that secures Russia’s security and territorial ambitions. Zelensky, facing relentless Russian bombardment and domestic exhaustion, says stopping the bloodshed is urgent.

But dig deeper, and it becomes clear that “peace” means very different things to each of them. For Zelensky, it’s a ceasefire that saves lives without sacrificing sovereignty. For Putin, it’s a formal treaty that cements Russia’s conquests and curbs Ukraine’s future alliances. And for Trump, it’s a grand bargain that ends the war quickly, even if it bends international law and Kyiv’s red lines.

Zelensky’s demand: A ceasefire, not surrender

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is calling for a ceasefire, not surrender.

What Ukraine wants is a halt to the fighting as a first step toward wider peace talks. A ceasefire would stop the bloodshed but would not mean accepting Russia’s land grabs. It would create space for negotiations without rewarding aggression.

However, there is a major obstacle. Ukraine’s constitution does not allow giving up territory without a national referendum. Public opinion also strongly opposes handing over land to Russia.

This means Zelensky, both legally and politically, cannot agree to surrender territory, even if international pressure increases.

Putin’s demand: Peace treaty on Russia’s terms

Russian President Vladimir Putin is pushing for a permanent peace treaty on Moscow’s terms, not just a ceasefire.

Russia’s draft proposals demand that Ukraine recognise Russian control over Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia. They also call for limits on Ukraine’s military strength, a pledge of neutrality to keep NATO and foreign troops out, and relief from Western sanctions, including the release of frozen Russian assets.

Putin’s goal is to secure his territorial gains and stop Ukraine from building closer military ties with the West.

The problem is that international law forbids changing borders by force. Any treaty that legitimises Russia’s conquests would be seen as illegal and invalid.

Trump’s demand: A quick deal, even if it bends the rules

US President Donald Trump says “peace is within reach,” but his plan seems closer to Putin’s vision than to Ukraine’s.

Instead of focusing on a ceasefire, Trump is pushing for a permanent deal. He has hinted that Ukraine will not be allowed to join NATO, suggested possible land swaps, and even floated the idea of easing sanctions on Russia.

For Trump, the priority is to present himself as the deal-maker who ended Europe’s biggest war in decades. He cares more about speed and appearances than about the legal details.

The problem is that this approach could pressure Ukraine into a deal that breaks international law and goes against the wishes of the Ukrainian people. That would make the agreement weak, unstable, and hard to enforce.

Ceasefire vs Peace Deal: Why it matters

A ceasefire is temporary. It means both sides stop fighting, but they still keep control of the areas they currently hold. Importantly, it doesn’t legally change any borders. It’s just a pause, not a final solution.

A peace deal is permanent. It involves official agreements on borders, politics, and security. In this case, it would mean Ukraine giving up land to Russia under pressure, something that international law does not allow.

That’s why Ukraine and Europe prefer a ceasefire, while Putin, and now Trump — are pushing for a full peace treaty.

Why this negotiation is so difficult

For Ukraine, the problem is clear: President Zelenskyy cannot legally give away land, and the Ukrainian people strongly oppose it. That leaves him with very little room to compromise.

For Russia, the issue is that Putin wants international recognition of territories that his military doesn’t even fully control. His demands go far beyond what’s realistic.

For Trump, the gamble is in mixing up a short-term ceasefire with a permanent peace deal. That could create the image of “peace,” but it’s the kind of agreement that would likely fall apart very quickly.