President Trump’s break from a strategy agreed to with European allies could give President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia an edge as talks to end the fighting continue.

After leaving Alaska, Trump says he would prefer to "go directly to a peace agreement" to end the war in Ukraine as he prepares to meet Zelensky on Monday.

European nations have rallied behind Ukraine, emphasizing that peace cannot be achieved without Kyiv's involvement. This comes before a planned meeting between U.S.