During his campaign, Donald Trump frequently claimed that he could resolve the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine in just 24 hours once he took office again. However, since returning to the presidency, his approach to the situation has evolved.
As U.S. representatives engage in discussions aimed at brokering peace, Trump and his administration officials have tempered their expectations about achieving a quick resolution. Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated recently that the U.S. might reconsider its negotiations if no tangible progress is made, underscoring a shift from the bold promises made during the campaign.
“No one’s saying this can be done in 12 hours,” Rubio remarked, highlighting the complexity of the issue.
Promises made by candidates often clash with the realities of governing, and Trump’s change in tone is particularly significant considering his past experiences with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
As of late March 2023, Trump maintained that peace was achievable with a straightforward negotiation and expressed optimism that he could “solve” the war quickly if he were in the Oval Office. His rhetoric continued to emphasize a desire to halt the loss of life, stating, “I want them to stop dying. And I’ll have that done in 24 hours.”
Yet as time has gone on, even Trump has acknowledged that resolving such a complex conflict cannot be as simple as he initially suggested. He later stated that his 24-hour claim was somewhat “sarcastic,” claiming that he hoped to make progress in stops and starts rather than a miraculous overnight solution.
Throughout his presidency, Trump has been vocal about his desire for a ceasefire, but he has also pointed to Zelenskyy’s intense dislike of Putin as an obstacle to negotiations. Trump remarked that such sentiments make it challenging to broker a deal, stating, “You see the hatred he’s got for Putin.”
His administration has signaled a willingness to pivot from negotiations if concrete steps toward peace do not materialize soon. Recently, Rubio suggested the U.S. may “move on” from trying to secure a peace deal if progress is not achieved, emphasizing that the conflict is not America’s war and that other national priorities must take precedence.
As both Trump and Rubio agreed that a peace deal must be reached “quickly,” they appear ready to reassess their strategy if conditions do not improve in the near future. The evolving stance reflects the complexities of international diplomacy and the difficulties in finding a lasting solution to the conflict.
