Donald Trump once vowed to end the Ukraine war in just 24 hours. Now, more than two months into his presidency, it is clear that peace will take much longer than he expected.
Bold Promises, Changing Timelines
Trump first made his promise in May 2023. He said he would stop the war within a day of taking office. During a debate in early 2024, he repeated the claim, suggesting he would resolve the conflict even before his term officially began.
When he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in New York last September, Trump seemed confident. “If we win, I think we’re going to get it resolved very quickly,” he stated.
However, as time passed, his timeline shifted. In a recent interview, he admitted that his 24-hour peace claim was made “a little bit sarcastically.”
Diplomatic Efforts Face Setbacks
Trump believes in personal diplomacy. He often prefers direct talks with world leaders to solve major issues. Since taking office, he has spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin twice—once on February 12 and again on March 18.
After their first conversation, Trump called it “highly productive.” He hoped to secure a 30-day ceasefire. Instead, Putin only promised to stop attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. However, Ukrainian officials reported new strikes just hours after the call.
Putin remained silent about their discussions for weeks. When he finally spoke, he rejected the U.S. plan, which called for a ceasefire first and negotiations later. Instead, Putin insisted on discussing NATO expansion and Ukraine’s sovereignty—issues he considers central to Russia’s security concerns.
Challenges in Washington’s Approach
From the start, Washington focused on Ukraine rather than Russia. U.S. officials believed that Zelensky posed the biggest challenge to securing peace. However, Ukraine struggled to adjust to Trump’s new approach.
Tensions rose after a White House meeting with Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Zelensky. That discussion was reportedly tense and led to diplomatic setbacks. The strained relationship slowed down negotiations and created more obstacles for a ceasefire.
At the same time, European allies grew uneasy. Differences between the U.S. and Europe on handling the war further complicated efforts to reach a deal. Meanwhile, Putin observed the situation carefully, waiting for an opportunity to strengthen Russia’s position.
Proposals and Disagreements
Ukraine first suggested a limited ceasefire. They wanted a halt to attacks by air and sea. This plan seemed easier to enforce and monitor. But during negotiations in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the U.S. pushed for a broader ceasefire covering all 1,200 kilometers of the eastern front line.
This wider proposal made it harder to verify compliance. Putin rejected the idea, claiming it was unrealistic.
Even the smaller energy infrastructure deal faced difficulties. On Monday, officials in Saudi Arabia are expected to discuss technical details. They aim to identify key power plants that must be protected and decide which weapons should be excluded from the conflict. However, disagreements persist on what qualifies as essential energy infrastructure.
Economic Interests at Play
Beyond securing a ceasefire, Trump has also focused on economic opportunities in Ukraine. His administration prioritized deals that would grant U.S. companies access to Ukraine’s critical minerals.
Zelensky initially sought security guarantees in return. He wanted assurances that Ukraine would receive long-term protection against future Russian aggression. However, the White House dismissed the request. Instead, officials argued that American business involvement in Ukraine would naturally deter further attacks.
In the end, Zelensky accepted the minerals deal without security guarantees. But the U.S. has not yet signed the agreement. Officials continue to negotiate terms, including potential rights to Ukraine’s nuclear power plants.
The Reality of Peace Negotiations
Trump promised a swift resolution to the Ukraine war. However, real-world diplomacy is far more complicated. Peace requires patience, negotiation, and compromise from all sides.
Even before becoming Ukraine’s president, Zelensky believed diplomacy could end conflicts. In a 2018 interview, he told journalist Dmytro Gordon that peace could be achieved through simple dialogue. “Just ask, ‘What do you want?’ and ‘Here are our points,’” he suggested.
But recent events show that war cannot end with simple conversation alone. Complex interests, shifting alliances, and deep-rooted conflicts make quick solutions impossible. Trump has moved peace talks forward, but a final resolution remains far away.