Trump's Peace Push Overpowers Ceasefire Demand: Summit with Putin Sparks Concerns

President Donald Trump encountered a diplomatic shift during a summit with Russia's Vladimir Putin, as he dropped his initial demand for a ceasefire in Ukraine in lieu of pursuing a comprehensive peace accord. This move seemed to ally more closely with Putin's objectives, stirring concern among Democrats and European leaders.

The summit, lacking significant detail from the White House, was perceived as a setback for Trump by some observers, who indicated it strengthened Putin's geopolitical stance while creating skepticism about Trump's standing on the world stage. Fiona Hill, Trump's former adviser, noted that Trump's failure to achieve a ceasefire indicated a weakened U.S. position.

While Democrats expressed alarm and called for tough sanctions on Russia, Trump's Republican allies and others responded more reservedly. Senators expressed cautious optimism about potential progress, although concerns remained about the lack of details and the implications for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

(With inputs from agencies.)