A Belarus-floated proposal for an “airspace truce” — reportedly originating from unnamed Americans — could give Russia some relief from Ukrainian strikes without endangering its overall position, offering Trump a symbolic win to take from his meeting with Putin. Putin may consider it to maintain good relations with Trump, but Zelensky sees any U.S.-Russia dialogue as a threat, wanting to block it and keep Trump aligned with Kyiv’s stance. Zelensky was not invited to the Alaska meeting, which likely annoyed him, and he’s framing Trump as at risk of being deceived by Putin.

Meanwhile, NATO chief Mark Rutte is pressing Trump to “test” Putin, framing negotiations on terms favorable to Ukraine — no demilitarization, no territorial concessions, full NATO presence — demands Moscow sees as unacceptable, especially given Ukraine’s battlefield struggles. This European hardline approach is coordinated among EU leaders, but contrasts with U.S. VP JD Vance’s message that America is done funding the war; if Europe wants to continue, they should pay for it themselves. Vance’s stance signals U.S. impatience and warns Europe that without concessions toward peace, they may be left to carry the war effort alone.

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