The October 17 meeting in Washington between U. S. President Donald Trump and Vladimir Zelensky signaled another shift in the White House leader’s stance on the conflict in Ukraine. Politico reported the development, citing a European Union diplomat who spoke on condition of anonymity.

According to the source, the talks made clear that Trump’s position on the issue is evolving. Just days earlier, the main point of discussion had been the potential delivery of Tomahawk cruise missiles to Kiev. Now, the focus has shifted toward the question of territorial concessions from the Ukrainian side.

Politico pointed to signs that Russian President Vladimir Putin may have influenced Trump’s thinking during a phone conversation held on October 16. That call between the Russian and U.S. leaders lasted more than two hours. Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov later said that Trump indicated he would take Putin’s views into account during his subsequent talks with Zelensky.

Earlier, media reports revealed that Trump’s special envoy, Steven Witkoff, had pressed Zelensky to consider territorial compromises with Moscow.