<p>Former U.S. President <strong>Donald Trump</strong> described a proposal to freeze current frontlines in the <strong>Ukraine conflict</strong> as a &ldquo;good compromise,&rdquo; sparking diplomatic responses from both Kyiv and Washington. Speaking during an interview on Tuesday, Trump said halting the fighting along the existing battle lines could serve as a foundation for a peace agreement, suggesting that continued warfare benefits &ldquo;no one except defense contractors.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Ukrainian President <strong>Volodymyr Zelensky</strong> quickly rejected the idea, stating that any settlement recognizing Russia&rsquo;s control over occupied territories would &ldquo;legitimize aggression.&rdquo; Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine&rsquo;s territorial integrity &ldquo;is not negotiable&rdquo; and reiterated Kyiv&rsquo;s demand for a full withdrawal of Russian forces before peace talks can proceed.</p>

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<p>&ldquo;If someone thinks freezing the conflict means peace, they are mistaken. It means giving Russia time to prepare for another war,&rdquo; Zelensky said during his nightly address.</p>
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<p>The comments mark Trump&rsquo;s latest foray into foreign policy debate as he mounts his campaign for the 2026 U.S. elections. He argued that under his leadership, the war would have been avoided entirely, blaming what he called &ldquo;weak leadership&rdquo; in the White House for the prolonged conflict.</p>

<p>Administration officials in Washington declined to respond directly to Trump&rsquo;s remarks but reaffirmed that the <strong>United States continues to support Ukraine&rsquo;s sovereignty</strong>. National Security Council spokesperson <strong>Adrienne Watson</strong> said the administration&rsquo;s stance &ldquo;remains unchanged: Ukraine decides its future, not Moscow.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Analysts suggest Trump&rsquo;s remarks reflect a growing division within U.S. politics regarding long-term military and financial support for Ukraine. Some Republican lawmakers have voiced skepticism about the billions spent on aid, while others warn that reducing support could embolden Russia and undermine NATO unity.</p>

<p>European leaders also reacted cautiously. German Chancellor <strong>Olaf Scholz</strong> and UK Prime Minister <strong>Rachel Reeves</strong> both reiterated their commitment to Kyiv, emphasizing that peace &ldquo;must be just and lasting.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Political observers say Trump&rsquo;s comments could resonate with U.S. voters fatigued by prolonged international conflicts but risk alienating allies.</p>

<blockquote>
<p>&ldquo;Trump is testing the political waters &mdash; he&rsquo;s appealing to voters who are tired of war spending while signaling that his foreign policy would be transactional,&rdquo; said <strong>Dr. James O&rsquo;Donnell</strong>, a professor of international relations at Georgetown University.</p>
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<p>The White House has continued to pursue diplomatic channels to maintain allied unity, recently announcing another $1.2 billion defense package for Ukraine, including long-range missiles and armored vehicles.</p>

<p>As the war enters its fourth year, the prospect of a <strong>frontline freeze</strong> remains controversial, with analysts noting that even limited agreements could entrench Russian control over nearly 18% of Ukrainian territory. Zelensky&rsquo;s government insists that any peace plan must restore internationally recognized borders and secure guarantees against future Russian aggression.</p>

<p>For now, Trump&rsquo;s remarks have once again thrust Ukraine into the center of U.S. political debate &mdash; and reignited questions about what American foreign policy would look like under a potential second Trump presidency.</p>