Throughout his campaign, Donald Trump often stated that he would manage to put an end to the
conflict between Russia and Ukraine
“within 24 hours” after assuming office. His demeanor has altered since reclaiming the presidency.
As different U.S. envoys have conducted discussions aimed at ending the conflict, both President Trump and his key advisors have grown increasingly cautious regarding the possibility of reaching a peaceful resolution. On Friday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that the U.S. could potentially withdraw entirely from the negotiation process unless significant advancements occur, with his remarks appearing to contradict previous statements made by the president.
“He informed journalists that nobody is suggesting this can be accomplished within 12 hours.”
Promises made by presidential contenders frequently crumble when faced with the challenges of governance. However, Trump’s change stands out considering his previous tenure as president and his extensive history with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
On Friday, The White House had not yet responded to a query requesting commentary regarding Trump’s changing statements on deadlines.
Here’s an examination of how Trump has changed his rhetoric regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict:
‘A very easy negotiation’
MARCH 2023: “There’s a very easy negotiation to take place. But I don’t want to tell you what it is because then I can’t use that negotiation; it’ll never work,” Trump told Fox News Channel host Sean Hannity, claiming that he could “solve” the war “in 24 hours” if he were back in the White House.
“But it’s a very easy negotiation to take place. I will have it solved within one day, a peace between them,” Trump said of the war, which at that point had been ongoing for more than a year since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
In May 2023, Trump stated, “Russians and Ukrainians are losing their lives, and I want this bloodshed to end. I will make sure it stops within 24 hours.”
a town hall
on CNN.
In July 2024, when prompted to comment on Trump’s assertion made over a single day, Russia’s UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia responded.
told reporters
that “the Ukrainian crisis cannot be solved in one day.” Afterward, Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung said that “a top priority in his second term will be to quickly negotiate an end to the Russia-Ukraine war.”
AUGUST 2024: “Before I even arrive at the Oval Office, shortly after I win the presidency, I will have the horrible war between Russia and Ukraine settled,” Trump told a National Guard Conference. “I’ll get it settled very fast. I don’t want you guys going over there. I don’t want you going over there.”
Following Trump’s victory in November
On December 16, 2024, Trump stated during a press briefing held at his Mar-a-Lago estate that he would attempt to see if he could broker an agreement with Putin and Zelenskyy to bring the conflict to a close when questioned about the possibility.
On January 8, 2025, during an appearance on the Fox News Channel, Lieutenant General Keith Kellogg, who currently serves as Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, suggested setting a 100-day timeframe to conclude the conflict. This past Friday was the 100th day since this statement was made. Additionally, President Trump reached his first 100 days in office on April 30.
Trump takes office and initiates discussions
JAN. 31: Trump states that his newly formed administration has initiated “highly serious” talks with Russia, indicating that both he and Putin might be poised for imminent actions aimed at resolving the protracted conflict.
“We will be talking, and I believe we might take an action that could be quite meaningful,” said Trump.
mentioned during an interaction with journalists
In the Oval Office, he stated, “Our aim is to bring an end to that war. It wouldn’t have begun at all if I had been president.”
On Feb. 12, Trump has a conversation lasting over an hour with Putin, followed by a discussion with Zelenskyy.
says afterward
, “I think we’re on the way to getting peace.”
FEB. 19: Trump
posts on his Truth Social site
that Zelenskyy is serving as a “dictator without elections.” He adds that “we are successfully negotiating an end to the War with Russia, something all admit only ‘TRUMP,’ and the Trump Administration, can do.”
FEB. 28: Trump and Zelenskyy engage in a contentious discussion
Oval Office meeting
. Trump berates Zelenskyy for being “disrespectful,” then abruptly calls off the
signing of a mineral agreement
That Trump claimed would bring Ukraine nearer to concluding the conflict.
Positioning himself “in the middle” rather than aligning with either Ukraine or Russia amidst the conflict, Trump criticized Zelenskyy’s “animosity” towards Putin, suggesting this sentiment hinders peaceful resolution.
You notice the animosity he has toward Putin,” Trump stated. “It’s quite difficult for me to negotiate when there’s that level of hostility.
The Ukrainian president was requested to depart from the White House by senior advisors close to Trump soon after Trump yelled at him. Later, Trump informed journalists that he desired an “instant truce” between Russia and Ukraine, yet he indicated uncertainty about whether Zelenskyy was prepared for peace talks.
MARCH 3: Trump
temporarily pauses
Military assistance provided to Ukraine aimed at pressuring Zelenskyy to pursue peace.
Trump claims his 24-hour promise was ‘sarcastic’
On March 14, Trump stated that his repeated assertions during his candidacy about solving the Russia-Ukraine conflict within one day were somewhat tongue-in-cheek.
“Well, I was being a little bit sarcastic when I said that,” Trump says in a clip released from an interview for the “Full Measure” television program. “What I really mean is I’d like to get it settled and, I’ll, I think, I think I’ll be successful.”
MARCH 18-19: Trump addresses calls to both Zelenskyy and Putin over consecutive days.
During a conversation on March 18, Putin informed Trump that Russia would consent to refrain from targeting Ukraine’s energy facilities; however, they declined to support complete
30-day ceasefire
Afterwards, Trump took to social media to celebrate that proposal, stating it was made with the agreement “that we will swiftly work towards a Comprehensive Ceasefire and, eventually, bring an end to this extremely devastating war between Russia and Ukraine.”
During his subsequent phone conversation, Trump proposed that Zelenskyy think about transferring ownership of Ukraine’s power facilities to the United States to guarantee their sustained safety. According to a White House release by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Walts, Trump informed Zelenskyy that the U.S. could offer considerable assistance in operating these plants leveraging American proficiency in electricity and utilities management.
APRIL 14: Trump states “everyone” is at fault—including Zelenskyy, Putin, and Biden.
“That’s a conflict that shouldn’t have ever begun, and both Biden and Zelensky had the power to prevent it, just as Putin should have never initiated it,” Trump stated to journalists in the Oval Office.
Talk of moving on
On April 18, Rubio stated that
The U.S. might “progress forward.”
from attempting to ensure security for
Russia-Ukraine peace deal
If there isn’t any advancement in the upcoming days.
After significant discussions between U.S., Ukrainian, and European officials in Paris, he addressed the audience with updates on the outlined actions towards achieving peace. The negotiations seemed to achieve considerable headway. A subsequent conference is anticipated in London next week, where Rubio indicated it might play a crucial role in shaping the future direction of the Trump administration’s policies.
its involvement.
We’ve arrived at a juncture where we must determine if this is feasible,” Rubio stated to journalists. “If it isn’t, I believe we will proceed elsewhere. This conflict doesn’t concern us directly; we have different issues demanding our attention.
He stated that the U.S. administration aims to make a decision within “a few days.”
That afternoon, Trump informed journalists at the White House that he concurred with Rubio regarding the necessity of concluding a peace agreement for Ukraine “promptly.”
“I don’t have a set number of days, but we aim to complete it as soon as possible,” he stated.
By stating “Marco is correct” about the need for a shift in negotiation dynamics, Trump refrained from indicating he would abandon the talks aimed at achieving peace.
Well, I wouldn’t put it exactly like that,” Trump stated. “However, we would like to see it come to an end.
___
Kinnard reported from Chapin, South Carolina, and can be contacted at
http://x.com/MegKinnardAP
