When Donald Trump met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in New York last September, he confidently claimed he could swiftly end the war. “If we win, I think we’re going to get it resolved very quickly,” he said.
A Shifting Timeline for Peace
Trump’s definition of “quickly” has evolved. In a TV debate, he claimed he could settle the war before taking office, escalating from his 2023 pledge to stop fighting within 24 hours of his presidency. Now, after two months in office, he admits his promise was “a little bit sarcastic.”
Challenges to Trump’s Peace Efforts
Despite his confidence, multiple factors have slowed progress.
1. The Limits of Personal Diplomacy
Trump believes direct talks can resolve global conflicts. He spoke with Putin on 12 February and 18 March, calling discussions “highly productive.” However, these talks failed to secure the 30-day ceasefire Trump wanted. The only concession—Putin’s promise to stop attacking Ukraine’s energy grid—was broken within hours.
2. Putin Refuses to Be Rushed
Putin dismissed Trump’s two-stage approach of securing a ceasefire first and a long-term deal later. Instead, he insists talks must address NATO expansion and Ukraine’s sovereignty, making compromise difficult.
3. U.S. Pressure on Ukraine Backfired
The White House initially saw Zelensky as the main obstacle to peace. Western diplomats admit Kyiv underestimated how much U.S. policy had shifted. The now-infamous Oval Office clash, where Trump and VP JD Vance pressured Zelensky, strained transatlantic ties and let Putin bide his time.
4. The Complexity of a Ceasefire
Ukraine proposed a limited ceasefire in the air and at sea for easier monitoring. However, at last week’s Jeddah talks, U.S. officials insisted on including the 1,200km front line, making verification far more complicated—an offer Putin rejected. Even his promise to halt energy attacks requires intricate negotiations, further delaying progress.
5. Economic Deals Distracted from Peace Efforts
Alongside diplomacy, the U.S. has been pushing for a deal granting American firms access to Ukraine’s critical minerals. Zelensky initially demanded security guarantees in return, but the White House refused. Though Zelensky eventually conceded, the U.S. has yet to finalize the deal, reportedly seeking better terms, possibly even control over Ukrainian nuclear power plants.
The Road Ahead
Trump’s belief in a quick peace has clashed with reality. While his diplomacy has kept talks going, his self-imposed deadlines have proven unrealistic.
Back in 2018, Zelensky once believed negotiations with Putin would be simple. “You need to talk in a very simple way. What do you want? What are your conditions?” he said.
The events of the past two months have shown that, in practice, peace is far more complicated.