WASHINGTON – President-elect Donald Trump’s advisers have admitted that resolving the Ukraine war could take months or longer, tempering the campaign promise of a swift peace deal on Day One of his presidency.
Two Trump associates, familiar with discussions on Ukraine, revealed that early rhetoric about an immediate solution was overly optimistic. They cited the complexities of the conflict and the time required to fully staff the new administration as factors for the delay.
Retired Lieutenant-General Keith Kellogg, Trump’s incoming Russia-Ukraine envoy, recently stated his goal to achieve a solution within 100 days. However, experts like John Herbst, a former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, deemed this timeline “way too optimistic.” Herbst stressed that persuading Russian President Vladimir Putin to compromise would require significant leverage.
Initially, Trump pledged to resolve the Ukraine-Russia conflict immediately upon taking office. However, his rhetoric shifted post-election, acknowledging the challenges of securing peace. Trump has since described the Ukraine situation as more complex than other global conflicts, such as the Gaza ceasefire.
The Kremlin has expressed mixed reactions, showing interest in direct talks with Trump but rejecting some of his advisers’ proposals as impractical.
Meanwhile, Russia has continued territorial advances in Ukraine, suggesting that Putin may delay negotiations to secure strategic gains. Analysts believe Moscow sees little incentive to accept the Trump team’s preliminary proposals, which include freezing battle lines and halting Ukraine’s NATO aspirations.
The Trump administration is also considering creating a demilitarized zone patrolled by European forces to ensure Ukraine’s security. However, efforts to establish dialogue have faced delays, including a postponed Kyiv visit by Kellogg, reportedly to avoid violating diplomatic protocols.
Trump acknowledged the human cost of the ongoing war, expressing frustration over the inability to engage directly with Putin before his inauguration. His foreign policy team is still navigating jurisdictional issues, complicating immediate progress on the peace initiative.
As the transition continues, the stark realities of international diplomacy are testing Trump’s ability to deliver on one of his most prominent campaign promises.