By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

Sen. Ethan Corson, D-Fairway, was in Hays Saturday campaigning for governor in 2026.

Corson stopped by the Eagle Media Center for an interview with Hays Post before <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/886b8285-39fd-4828-ac95-b3d6d19331b9">joining other candidates on stage at Democracy Fest</a>&nbsp;on Saturday.

"The first issue I'm going to tackle as governor is the affordability crisis in Kansas," Corson said.

Corson said Kansas has become too expensive for many residents, a concern that first motivated him to run for the state Senate. He said the state has drifted from being a place where people could once afford a middle-class lifestyle and retire comfortably.

Corson said he worked across party lines on the Senate Tax Committee to eliminate taxes on Social Security, lower property taxes and expand the senior property tax freeze program.

"We need to have a child tax credit for our working Kansas families to keep more money in their pockets so they can pay for things like child care," Corson said.

Corson said there is a need to double the 20-mill property tax exemption to $150,000 in assessed value, eliminate taxes on tips, and raise the minimum wage to $15 and index it to the cost of living.

"Hard work is a Kansas value, but I don't think anybody who works full time should be living in poverty," he said.

Corson said K-12 education is a core Kansas value and emphasized the next governor will need to reauthorize or create a new school funding formula before the current one expires at the end of 2026.

"I'm going to veto any bill that I don't think fully funds our schools and does it in an adequate and equitable way, including making sure rural schools are taken care of," he said.

Corson said the state faces a teacher shortage that is expected to worsen, attributing it to low pay and a lack of incentives for younger generations to enter the profession as many current educators near retirement.

Corson also said he supports fully funding special education. Hays school district officials have lobbied for more state funding.&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/1ddb7029-9e09-4f6a-8c1f-c0c5f03f27ed">Hays USD 489 saw a cost increase of almost $822,000 for special education for the 2025-26 school year.</a>

"I think that the approach that Gov. Laura Kelly has laid out is the right one to get us to that 92% which is what state law requires. We haven't met that since 2011," he said.

Corson said Kansas is decades behind on long-term water preservation but recognizes Gov. Kelly’s efforts to secure additional resources for water projects. He noted bipartisan progress on water issues in the Legislature and voiced support for establishing a dedicated task force.

"What I want to do as governor is figure out a dedicated funding stream for water so we can make progress on implementing those recommendations of the task force," Corson said.

Corson said he was not aware of the R9 Ranch project.

Corson said Kansas has 100 rural hospitals, with 67 at high risk of closing. He said he was disappointed over recent federal legislation that included cuts to Medicaid and rural health care.

"I want to do everything I can to keep our hospitals open," he said. "I want to have a task force that looks at rural health care to come up with specific recommendations of what we can do along those lines to make sure that we are trying to protect our hospitals."

Corson said he met with community health center leaders in southwest Kansas to discuss their challenges, noting that many stem, to some extent, from the state’s failure to expand Medicaid.

Corson said there is a shortage of mental health beds and pledged to increase funding to expand capacity. He said the state has fallen behind in addressing the issue and is now trying to catch up.

"We have moved the ball forward in that direction over the past several years, but we haven't gone far enough and fast enough. There's still a lot of work that needs to be done," Corson said.

Gubernatorial candidate Corson seeks to double 20-mill property tax exemption 

At its fourth-quarter 100 Who Care – Ellis County meeting, members selected <a href="https://www.facebook.com/firstcallelliscounty?__cft__[0]=AZUBvSuyV9o3-crobxMZI80xoE-KNf7_B5ZrcivJfjC-YIJVEszbcK3crVOzvfSUehyofwLCwAampc9KfmUM3jKyMf1wqeV09VTZaysYhzEEp0AwuzeRLqpHcgJhqMA8L6BGMnGytlARDaFpeGdnnLUWKs1UyWHjrQ85cvirNSP54UvV1kqrOVJ0dJuTbUAEJDw&amp;__tn__=-]K-y-R">First Call For Help of Ellis County</a> as this quarter’s recipient.

First Call For Help will use the group's collective donation to support its community food pantry, helping keep shelves stocked and families fed for several more months.

The group also recognized the other nonprofits who presented — <a href="https://www.facebook.com/EllisCoBigs?__cft__[0]=AZUBvSuyV9o3-crobxMZI80xoE-KNf7_B5ZrcivJfjC-YIJVEszbcK3crVOzvfSUehyofwLCwAampc9KfmUM3jKyMf1wqeV09VTZaysYhzEEp0AwuzeRLqpHcgJhqMA8L6BGMnGytlARDaFpeGdnnLUWKs1UyWHjrQ85cvirNSP54UvV1kqrOVJ0dJuTbUAEJDw&amp;__tn__=-]K-y-R">Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters serving Ellis County</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/campaignforjana?__cft__[0]=AZUBvSuyV9o3-crobxMZI80xoE-KNf7_B5ZrcivJfjC-YIJVEszbcK3crVOzvfSUehyofwLCwAampc9KfmUM3jKyMf1wqeV09VTZaysYhzEEp0AwuzeRLqpHcgJhqMA8L6BGMnGytlARDaFpeGdnnLUWKs1UyWHjrQ85cvirNSP54UvV1kqrOVJ0dJuTbUAEJDw&amp;__tn__=-]K-y-R">Jana's Campaign</a>, each one plays a vital role in making Ellis County stronger, more compassionate and more connected.

100 Who Care donate $3,200 to First Call for Help

FHSU&nbsp;Science and Mathematics Education Institute

The October FHSU Science Cafe is Monday, Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. in The Venue at Thirsty's, 2704 Vine Street, Hays.&nbsp;

What actually drives love? Scientists from anthropology to neuroscience have been chasing that very question for decades. And here’s the interesting part: the science of love is at once surprisingly simple and incredibly complex. We’re going to take a quick tour through some of the key chemicals that fuel love.

Presenter is James R. Balthazor, PhD, professor of chemistry, K-INBRE Campus Coordinator at Fort Hays State University.

The event is free and open to the public, sponsored by FHSU Science and Mathematics Education Institute at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=http%3a%2f%2fwww.fhsu.edu%2fsmei&amp;c=E,1,dx0E4bkWgiThIFHFqvYKg9drbQ7aA2U-xIV2MZW5FYIOCw6Mym-clUd_XJLU9v96GC6aIMCGMmdjUJRlcESYuJgE3KDvpE3832SCq4KUit_B4gSgIPIcrak,&amp;typo=1">www.fhsu.edu/smei</a>.

Drinks will be available for purchase. No food will be served.&nbsp;

FHSU Science Cafe examines biochemistry behind lust, attraction, companionship

The Ellis County Commission approved a resolution supporting Operation Green Light during its Tuesday meeting.

The campaign is a national initiative led by the National Association of Counties and the National Association of County Veteran Service Officers to honor U.S. veterans by illuminating public buildings in green from Nov. 4 to 11, the week before Veterans Day.

Northwest Kansas Homeland Security Appointment

The commission reappointed Communications Director Jeff Ridgway to serve as Ellis County’s representative on the Northwest Kansas Regional Homeland Security Council for the 2026–2028 term.

The commission approved a charter resolution that would allow it to appoint one of its members each year to serve as the ex officio representative on the Ellis County Library Board instead of automatically assigning the chairperson.

A discussion of a Kansas State 911 Board mapping grant, which funds the indoor and outdoor geographic mapping of critical infrastructure, was postponed to a later meeting.

Ellis County to participate in Operation Green Light for veterans

Hays Police Department activity log: Oct. 12-18, 2025

Hays Police Department arrest log: Oct. 12-18, 2025

Click&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/category/obituaries">HERE</a>&nbsp;to view the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners.

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Recent obituaries and service times

The six candidates for Hays City Commission were interviewed by the Hays Post. Their responses are being presented in a question-and-answer format. The other candidates running include Samuel Allen, Reese Barrick, Sandy Jacobs, David Koshiol, Shaun Musil and David Vilaysing.

Allen did not respond to Hays Post's request for an interview.&nbsp;

Allen was&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/1e91cd79-cb0f-4efc-a6f1-2dc8ddbbe8d9">arrested on a charge of alleged blackmail</a>&nbsp;in July.

Also listed on the ballot but not pursuing office are Kelly Ancar and Justin Choitz.

Three seats are available on the board. The two candidates with the highest number of votes will each receive a four-year term. The third-highest candidate will serve a two-year term. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4.

Age: 41 Occupation: Remote&nbsp;worker for InvoiceCloud based in Boston as a project program manager for higher education and technology companies

Why are you running for Hays City Commission?

I grew up in Hays, graduated from K-State and moved to Boston where I met my husband. About a year ago, we decided to move back to Hays to be closer to family and enjoy the slower pace of living.

I wanted to re-engage myself with the community, and I think giving back is important. I fully understand I haven't been here in a long time, and I'm very focused on listening to the folks who live here and understanding their perspective, bringing those viewpoints into the role of a city commissioner.

As a new candidate, do you have any relevant/political experience?&nbsp;

I served as vice president of the Framingham Centre Nursery School board in Massachusetts, which further developed my abilities in community-focused decision-making and advocacy.

At Hays High, I was involved in FFA and was drum major for the band.&nbsp;

In my job, I spend a lot of time working with large groups and managing large budgets and projects.&nbsp;

What is the most pressing issue(s) the city of Hays faces?

One of them is our infrastructure and planning, especially around things like water. Making sure we have enough water is essential and key to everything we do.

I also think we have a lot of work to do around housing. Do we have enough and in the right mix for people?

Are we taking care of our health care landscape? Do we have accessible health care, including good mental health services? Fortunately, in Hays, we do have organizations that make sure things like that are supported, can grow and be accessed.

It's been suggested by a local developer that the city provide free land for construction of new homes costing $150,00 or less. What are your thoughts about housing in Hays?&nbsp;

There are a lot of things that go into housing for low-income or unhoused folks. Providing free land could certainly be a piece of that.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/ae1db76a-b42e-4a7e-8a6d-64505465e8a1">A recent quarterly luncheon by Grow Hays explained how RHIDs work and their economic impact on the city.&nbsp;</a>

I think it's a two-way street between the community sharing ideas like that and the city commission hearing them, understanding what's possible and sharing their ideas back with the community.&nbsp;

I want to create an environment where people feel like they can be a part of the solution.&nbsp;

The city narrowly avoided a 2-mill levy increase in the 2026 budget. How would you keep the mill levy at 25 mills? Should it instead be increased?&nbsp;

It's always a challenge. How much do we fund our community? How much do we pay as citizens in our taxes to fund the things that we use every day? No one likes to pay a huge amount of money in taxes, but I also think the things that we fund are incredibly important.

Whether it's the airport or something else we should be funding, I'm sure there are times when the mill levy will have to be raised a little bit. That's just the reality of how things go. I think it's something voters should have a say in, and we can decide as a community what is important, what is essential.

Budgets should be managed responsibly and carefully, appropriately and effectively as possible. I think our city employees do a good job of managing their budgets.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/7d615ae1-9b48-4ebd-9200-7c593c85db69">The governing body of Hays chose to remain revenue neutral for the budget year 2026.</a>

Are there areas in the city budget or departments that can be streamlined? What would you change in the city's current operations?

In general, I think our city employees have their best interests at heart for the city of Hays, want to serve their community and to do the right thing for the neighbors they live next to.

To save money, sometimes you spend a little money. Do employees need additional training for new roles? We have an explosion of AI technology. Are there ways we can optimize relationships with platforms and vendors? Are there additional tools or resources the employees need to make them more efficient or make our community better?

Should each city park become more "individualized," offering different/fewer amenities at each location to save maintenance costs?

It's certainly worth looking at. There's a lot of research that shows everyone needs outdoor time—fresh air, sunshine and exercise.

It's nice to have bathrooms in our parks. Each park is unique, but each has what we need, and I think that's important.

There are organizations in town that have stepped up to sponsor or take care of them.

Part of it is our community involvement. I've been places where we've done a lot more community clean-up days, helping paint parks, helping repair broken playground equipment, things like that. There are regulations around that, and you have to be careful, but it's one of the things we can look at.

I don't love the idea of some parks perhaps getting special treatment because I think every park in every neighborhood is special. I want to make sure we have a fair and equitable distribution of the joys that our parks bring.

Should the city get involved in the operation of the public transportation program ACCESS, which is struggling with its funding? Should the city offer greater financial support?

I spent a lot of time using public transportation in Boston, one of the first U.S. cities to have public transportation. I'm a big believer and big user of public transportation.&nbsp;&nbsp;

It's important that we make our city multi-functional. If you don't have a car, it can be difficult to get to where you need to go. 

Walkable cities and neighborhoods are important as well. Looking at ways to expand walkability, making sure our bike paths and lanes are accessible, and their use is encouraged, is part of public transportation.

I would hate to see the ACCESS vans go away. That service is key, even if it's a more set schedule that runs, which is not quite as flexible as anytime, anywhere.&nbsp;

Building up the opportunities for having more rideshares, or having neighbors build a community where they can give rides to each other, is also really key.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/dc146924-9a33-439f-bb6a-180129cff07a">ACCESS General Public Transportation in Hays is still facing a 2026 funding gap after the city of Hays and Ellis County made contributions.&nbsp;</a>

I'm really interested in learning what's happening in Hays. I'm not just asking for people's votes. I really want their partnership.

I want to help in understanding what's working, what's not working, where can we keep investing, where should we be dialing back, where should we be shifting. That really comes from the people living in the community.

This is where people choose to live and stay. If you're invested in it and have a stake in the game, that makes a huge difference.&nbsp;

Community is not something you get passively. You have to be involved if you want something to get better or something to stay good.

Hays City Commission Candidate Q&A: Candace (CJ) Hathaway

The United Way of Ellis County announces the opening of the 2026 CARE Council application process.

Any&nbsp;501(c)(3) that provides services in Ellis County is eligible to apply. The services must meet one of the three&nbsp;criteria of education, health, and financial stability.

The CARE Council is made up of 12 community volunteers who review the applications to determine funding for&nbsp;the United Way of Ellis County, City of Hays social service funds and alcohol tax funds, and Ellis County&nbsp;alcohol tax funds.

The online application for funding can be found at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://liveunited.us/apply2026">https://liveunited.us/apply2026</a>

Deadline for submission is Friday, December 5.

For questions, please contact Bill Ring, interim executive director, at 785-628-8281 or&nbsp;info@liveunited.us.

Ellis County United Way 2026 funding applications now open

Tickets on Sale for Cancer Cash fundraiser Nov. 7

The Fort Hays State University assistant professor says FHSU's review into her is still ongoing as she is discussing options with a legal team in case her First Amendment rights have been violated.

Nuchelle Chance of the psychology department has raised more than $1,600 through her <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/fighting-black-against-academic-censorship-retaliation?attribution_id=sl:01768fb0-d256-45cd-a8e4-5803dbcdd611&amp;lang=en_US&amp;ts=1760971046&amp;utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&amp;utm_content=amp17_te&amp;utm_medium=customer&amp;utm_source=facebook">GoFundMe</a>. She said her main concern is the double standard she believes exists at the university.

"How can some of my other FHSU colleagues say some of the most truly egregious and bigoted things on social media or even on campus and face little to no repercussion," she said.

"I can't help but think [correlationally] that if I was white, no one would have targeted me. The irony of being the only Black American woman on the faculty doing applied social justice work in rural Kansas isn't lost on me."

Hays Post reached out to&nbsp;Scott Cason, FHSU’s chief communications officer, and said he is not aware of other faculty making these comments.

Chance is seeking to raise $50,000, according to the fundraiser’s description, to cover legal fees and help with living expenses while she is without a paycheck.

Cason said FHSU is handling the situation as a confidential personnel matter but is aware of Chance’s social media posts about her employment status and her stated intentions as she moves through the process.

On Sept. 10, the day Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk was shot and killed during a debate at Utah Valley University, Chance posted the following:

Since then, Chance said she has been doxxed and received threats severe enough that she felt compelled to move her children out of Hays for their safety.

"I'm overwhelmed and disgusted. My health has been suffering, but as a millennial, I find that the moments of humor are keeping me grounded," Chance said.

Chance said she has also received an outpouring of support from colleagues, friends, students and community members.

In a recent social media post, Chance said she has been receiving support from the <a href="https://www.aaup.org/">American Association of University Professors</a>, an organization that helps uphold academic freedom standards in higher education.

On Sept. 29, Cason said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/news/2025/09/fort-hays-state-university-statement-regarding-recent-social-media-post-about-race-and-violence#gsc.tab=0">press release</a>&nbsp;that the university is aware of content on the X account Libs of TikTok, a right-wing social media account on X with 4.4 million followers, linking a faculty member to social media posts about Charlie Kirk.&nbsp;

"Individuals who post commentaries to their personal social media accounts do not speak for the University, nor does their commentary reflect the views or values of this university," Cason said in a past statement from the university.

Cason said FHSU is reviewing the situation as a confidential personnel matter and asks for patience as they address it.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/67bf5501-02df-472c-a43a-a4ff11ff5305">SEE RELATED STORY: FHSU assistant professor under review for posts about Charlie Kirk</a>

"I make no apologies as nothing I stated was inaccurate, libelous, slanderous, immoral, etc.," Chance said in response to Hays Post. "I speak truth. Is it controversial and even sometimes inflammatory? It can be, but if it offends then my message is to do better."

Chance initially defended her Facebook posts about the assassination of Kirk in a TikTok video.

"In my post, I just stated that there's karma," Chance said in the TikTok video. "There's irony associated with that, and that's by no means to celebrate someone's death."

Chance also made the following post that resulted in Libs of TikTok to further draw attention to her and bring them to FHSU’s awareness:

The university also shared its press release on its X page, where Libs of TikTok responded with criticism.

"Sorry, but I don't have 'patience' for professors who call white Americans 'dangerous animals' and mock the murder of a young father. This statement says absolutely nothing," the X post said.

On Oct. 14, a <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2025/10/14/private-chat-among-young-gop-club-members-00592146?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR4rh1vKo0TPjSl8iLS0zXiVJTMfHMaGjXdVYALFYQT5TAgjYkVhpcOm3vtb4w_aem_Xu_8IK_zmXb9J8eshdaMGA">Politico article</a> revealed&nbsp;Kansas Young Republicans chairman Alex Dwyer and vice chair William Hendrix took part in a Telegram group chat, which included references to white supremacy and suppression of the Jeffrey Epstein files.

Chance made a social media post saying, "This scandal exposes real racism, real violence and real threats coming from individuals with political power and proximity to our institutions."

"If we can swiftly condemn encrypted hate speech from political operatives, we must also protect educators who face retaliation for public scholarship rooted in data, ethics and lived experience."

The FHSU College Republicans issued a statement condemning Kansas Young Republicans for sending texts with violent, racist and antisemtic rhetroic.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/55386b06-0277-48fb-bcb9-7428394a419c">FHSU College Republicans react to Kansas Young Republicans racist chats</a>

FHSU assistant professor receives threats for Charlie Kirk posts; online fundraiser

&nbsp;Submit events to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:admin@hayspost.com">admin@hayspost.com</a>. Cover photo courtesy Pixabay

Special thanks to <a href="https://www.visithays.com/183/Events">The Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau</a> and<a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/"> Fort Hays State University</a> for their contributions to the community calendar.

Community Calendar

The deadline for letters to the editor about the upcoming local elections on Nov. 4 will be at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29.

Letters can be sent to hayspost@eaglemedia.com. All letters must be typed and signed.

Letters must pertain&nbsp;to&nbsp;a local&nbsp;topic and be written by someone from&nbsp;the&nbsp;Hays&nbsp;Media Center&nbsp;coverage area.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The&nbsp;Hays Post reserves&nbsp;the&nbsp;right&nbsp;to&nbsp;reject&nbsp;letters.&nbsp;

Election letter to the editor deadline

'Dawgz and Drawz' to benefit shelter dogs 

Downtown Hays will once again transform into a festive Halloween wonderland for Trick or Treat on The Bricks, happening Friday, October 31, 2025, from 3–5 PM. Hosted by&nbsp;The Bricks in Downtown, this annual tradition brings families together to enjoy a safe and spirited afternoon in the heart of the community.

Dozens of downtown businesses will line Main Street and beyond, handing out candy and hosting fun activities for costumed trick-or-treaters. The event provides children with a safe, family-friendly way to celebrate Halloween while encouraging the community to explore and support local businesses.

“This is a beloved family event,” said Lee Ann June, executive director of The Bricks. “Downtown businesses look forward to greeting kids in costume, and parents appreciate the safe environment we create together.”

To keep the event safe and enjoyable for all, volunteer crossing guards will be stationed throughout downtown Hays, helping families cross busy intersections as they make their way along the route.

Families are encouraged to wear their best costumes and bring a treat bag to collect candy and goodies.

Trick or Treat on the Bricks in Downtown Hays on Halloween

Ellis County Clerk Bobbi Dreiling announced that early voting for the upcoming election will begin on Monday, Oct. 20, at the Ellis County Administration Center, 718 Main St., Hays.

Early voting hours will be Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The final day of early voting will be Monday, Nov. 3, ending at noon. For voter convenience, there will also be Saturday early voting on Nov. 1, from 9 a.m. to noon at the administration center.

Advance mail ballots have been mailed on Wednesday.

“As always, my office is here to assist voters,” Dreiling said. “If you have questions about registration, early voting or advance ballots, please don’t hesitate to call us.”

For more information, contact the Ellis County Clerk’s Office at 785-628-9410.

Early voting starts today for November election

David Tostenson, assistant professor of Philosophy at Fort Hays State University, will deliver a talk about how society defines disabilities and the ways society approaches human differences. He will speak from 11 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Oct. 21, in the Trails Room of the Memorial Union at FHSU.

His talk is sponsored by the American Democracy Project at FHSU, Tebo Library (formerly Forsyth Library), and the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) On Campus.

His free talk, titled “Difference, Disorder, and Identity,” will examine the moral and philosophical questions around defining disability, a news release said.

FHSU professor to discuss disabilities, differences on Tuesday

HaysMed sponsors Medicare vs Medicare advantage event

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Tuesday his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-zelenskyy-putin-russia-ukraine-e3a1d62d2a24f459aa6dbbfa940e1067">plan for a swift meeting</a>&nbsp;with Russian leader Vladimir Putin was on hold because he didn't want it to be a “waste of time.” It was the latest twist in Trump's stop-and-go effort to resolve the war in Ukraine.

The decision to hold off on the meeting in Budapest, Hungary, which Trump had announced last week, was made following a call Monday between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

“I don’t want to have a wasted meeting,” Trump said. “I don’t want to have a waste of time — so we’ll see what happens.”

Lavrov made clear in public comments Tuesday that Russia is opposed to an immediate ceasefire. Trump, meanwhile, has been shifting his stance all year on key issues in the war, including whether a ceasefire should come before longer-term peace talks, and whether Ukraine could win back land seized by Russia during almost four years of fighting.

Trump's hesitancy in meeting Putin will likely come as a relief to European leaders, who have accused Putin of stalling for time with diplomacy while trying to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-blackout-energy-winter-grid-074fafac8a4b5bb556308379808d041b">gain ground on the battlefield</a>.

The leaders — including the British prime minister, French president and German chancellor — said they opposed any push to make Ukraine surrender land captured by Russian forces in return for peace, as Trump most recently has suggested.

They also plan to push forward with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-ukraine-russia-assets-frozen-loans-plan-91929d8b2263ace7ea452157f19a6222">plans to use</a>&nbsp;billions of dollars in frozen Russian assets to help fund Ukraine’s war efforts, despite some misgivings about the legality and consequences of such a step.

The U.S. and Russian presidents last&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-putin-summit-ukraine-war-takeaways-b9ff04c4143c6ac228e196ddaf6dd6d3">met in Alaska</a>&nbsp;in August, but the encounter did not advance Trump’s stalled attempts to end a war that began with Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022.

The Kremlin didn’t seem to be in a rush to get Trump and Putin together again either. Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday that “preparation is needed, serious preparation” before a meeting.

Trump suggested that decisions about the meeting would be made in the coming days.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been trying to strengthen Ukraine's position by seeking&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tomahawk-cruise-missile-ukraine-united-states-trump-a0b292b0a0a51486305346550f30f6c0">long-range Tomahawk missiles</a>&nbsp;from the U.S., although Trump has waffled on whether he would provide them.

“We need to end this war, and only pressure will lead to peace,” Zelenskyy said Tuesday in a Telegram post.

He noted that Putin returned to diplomacy and called Trump last week when it looked like Tomahawk missiles were a possibility. But "as soon as the pressure eased a little, the Russians began to try to drop diplomacy, postpone the dialogue,” Zelenskyy said.

On Wednesday, Trump is expected to hold talks in the White House with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. The military alliance has been coordinating deliveries of weapons to Ukraine, many of them&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-zelenskyy-trump-drones-05ba74cd9fbefcd81cc90886d091af5a">purchased from the U.S.</a>&nbsp;by Canada and European countries.

A meeting of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-witkoff-europe-61ae60275a00cb442c743181df13b785">Coalition of the Willing</a>&nbsp;— a group of 35 countries who support Ukraine — is due to take place in London on Friday.

How Trump's stance on the war has shifted

Trump initially focused on pressuring Ukraine to make concessions, but then grew frustrated with Putin's intransigence. Trump often complains that he thought his good relationship with his Russian counterpart would have made it easier to end the war.

Last month, Trump reversed his long-held position that Ukraine would have to give up land and suggested it could win back all the territory it has lost to Russia. But after a phone call with Putin last week and a subsequent meeting with Zelenskyy on Friday, Trump shifted his position again and called on Kyiv and Moscow to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-zelenskyy-putin-ukraine-tomahawks-ce697e5eda6ce9793b4343499d105a8c">“stop where they are"</a>&nbsp;and end the war.

On Sunday, Trump said the industrial Donbas region of eastern Ukraine should be “cut up,” leaving most of it in Russian hands.

Trump said Monday that while he thinks it is possible that Ukraine can ultimately defeat Russia,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-zelenskyy-trump-tomahawk-fd61aa7ed980d2fe111f0521073b5382">he’s now doubtful</a>&nbsp;it will happen.

Ukrainian and European leaders trying to keep Trump on their side

“We strongly support President Trump’s position that the fighting should stop immediately, and that the current line of contact should be the starting point of negotiations,” the leaders' statement said. “We can all see that Putin continues to choose violence and destruction."

Lavrov made clear Tuesday that Russia opposes a ceasefire, Russian state news agencies reported. He told journalists in Moscow that it would go against what the two presidents agreed upon in Alaska. Trump had hoped to get Russia to stop the fighting, but he was rebuffed by Putin, who has pushed for a comprehensive settlement to end the war.

Russia occupies about one fifth of Ukraine, but carving up their country in return for peace is unacceptable to Kyiv officials.

Also, a conflict frozen on the current front line could fester, with occupied areas of Ukraine offering Moscow a springboard for new attacks in the future, Ukrainian and European officials fear.

The statement by the leaders of Ukraine, the U.K., Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Poland, Denmark and EU officials came early in what Zelenskyy said Monday would be a week that is “very active in diplomacy.”

More international economic sanctions on Russia are likely to be discussed at an EU summit in Brussels on Thursday.

“We must ramp up the pressure on Russia’s economy and its defense industry, until Putin is ready to make peace,” Tuesday’s statement said.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Plans are on hold for President Donald Trump to sit down with Russian leader Vladimir Putin to talk about resolving the war in Ukraine, a U.S. official said Tuesday.

The meeting had been announced last week. It was supposed to take place in Budapest, although a date had not been set.

The decision was made following a call between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

The official wasn’t authorized to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov indicated Tuesday there was no sense of urgency for Trump and Putin to meet, saying that “preparation is needed, serious preparation.”

The back-and-forth over Trump’s plans is the latest bout of whiplash caused by his stutter-step efforts to resolve a conflict that has persisted for nearly four years.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders accused Putin of stalling for time to continue his invasion as diplomatic efforts took place. They also said they opposed any push to make Kyiv surrender land captured by Russian forces in return for peace, as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-drones-gas-strikes-energy-50826ce7b96814ad943d8721c1a2915c">Trump has on occasion suggested</a>.

Eight European leaders as well as senior European Union officials said in a joint statement they intend to go ahead with plans to use Moscow’s billions of dollars (euros) of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-ukraine-russia-assets-frozen-loans-plan-91929d8b2263ace7ea452157f19a6222">frozen assets abroad</a>&nbsp;to help Kyiv win the war, despite some misgivings about the legality and consequences of such a step.

Zelenskyy noted that Putin returned to diplomacy and called Trump last week when facing the possibility that the U.S. would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tomahawk-missiles-russia-ukraine-war-522fb8bb8fe8ce87107e1eb320abae0e">supply Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles</a>.

But “as soon as the pressure eased a little, the Russians began to try to drop diplomacy, postpone the dialogue,” Zelenskyy said Tuesday in a Telegram post.

“We need to end this war, and only pressure will lead to peace,” he said.

The leaders’ statement laid down a marker by saying the leaders “remain committed to the principle that international borders must not be changed by force.”

Trump last month reversed his long-held position that Ukraine would have to concede land and suggested it could win back all the territory it has lost to Russia. However, after a phone call with Putin last week and a subsequent meeting with Zelenskyy on Friday, Trump shifted his position again and called on Kyiv and Moscow to “stop where they are” in the more than three-year war.

On Sunday, Trump said that the industrial Donbas region of eastern Ukraine should be “cut up,” leaving most of it in Russian hands.

Ukrainian and European leaders are trying hard to keep Trump on their side.

“We strongly support President Trump’s position that the fighting should stop immediately, and that the current line of contact should be the starting point of negotiations,” the statement said. “We can all see that Putin continues to choose violence and destruction.”

The dynamics of Trump’s engagement with Europe’s biggest conflict since World War II&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-russia-ukraine-putin-comments-2b977a12e445817fffd6ef9f8df9aa38">have zigzagged</a>&nbsp;as he searches for a peace deal.

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