During his campaign trail, Donald Trump frequently asserted that he could resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict “within 24 hours” if elected. However, this stance has shifted since he assumed the presidency.
Various U.S. envoys have engaged in dialogues to end the war, but Trump and his senior officials have become more circumspect about the likelihood of achieving a peace agreement. On April 18, Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested that the United States might withdraw from negotiations if no significant progress is observed, implying a distance from Trump’s previous claims.
“No one’s saying this can be done in 12 hours,” Rubio emphasized to the press. Such backtracking is not uncommon due to the complexities of governance, but Trump’s change in stance is notable considering his past presidency and ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The White House did not immediately comment on Trump’s evolving statements regarding the deadline.
Examining Trump’s changing rhetoric on the Russia-Ukraine issue provides some insight:
‘A very easy negotiation’
MARCH 2023: Trump told Fox News host Sean Hannity that a straightforward negotiation could resolve the conflict, claiming he could achieve peace within a day. “But it’s a very easy negotiation,” he said, asserting he would bring peace quickly to a conflict that had endured since Russia’s broad scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
MAY 2023: During a CNN town hall, Trump remarked, “They’re dying, Russians and Ukrainians. I want them to stop dying. And I’ll have that done — I’ll have that done in 24 hours.”
JULY 2024: Russia’s United Nations Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia responded to Trump’s one-day peace claim, saying it was not feasible. Following this, Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung confirmed a top priority would be to swiftly negotiate an end to the war if Trump won a second term.
AUGUST 2024: Addressing a National Guard Conference, Trump expressed confidence in resolving the conflict promptly after winning the presidency, wanting to prevent U.S. forces’ involvement.
After Trump’s reelection in November
DEC. 16, 2024: At a press conference, Trump voiced his intent to pursue a deal with Putin and Zelenskyy.
JAN. 8, 2025: In a Fox News interview, retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, now Trump’s special envoy, suggested a 100-day timeline for ending the war. The 100th day of Trump’s presidency was April 29.
Trump assumes presidency and initiates talks
JAN. 31: Trump announced “very serious” discussions with Russia, indicating potential significant actions towards peace, asserting the conflict wouldn’t have commenced under his previous leadership.
FEB. 12: Trump conversed with both Putin and afterward with Zelenskyy, expressing optimism about achieving peace.
FEB. 19: Trump described Zelenskyy as acting like a “dictator without elections” on his Truth Social site, claiming effective negotiation of war’s end.
FEB. 28: Trump and Zelenskyy’s meeting turned contentious, leading to the cancellation of a minerals deal aimed at moving Ukraine towards peace, blaming Zelenskyy’s animosity towards Putin for hindering progress.
Trump advocated for an “immediate ceasefire,” expressing doubt over Zelenskyy’s readiness for peace.
MARCH 3: Trump halted military aid to Ukraine momentarily in a bid to push Zelenskyy towards peace.
APRIL 23: Trump criticized Zelenskyy for impeding peace talks by not ceding Crimea to Russia, suggesting either pursue peace or continue fighting for years.
APRIL 24: Trump criticized Putin after Russian attacks on Kyiv, urging cessation of hostilities to facilitate a peace agreement.
Trump clarifies his 24-hour claim
MARCH 14: Trump stated his previous 24-hour claim was “a little bit sarcastic,” clarifying his intent to settle the conflict effectively.
MARCH 18-19: Trump held separate conversations with both Putin and Zelenskyy, discussing transitional measures towards peace, including a partial ceasefire agreement.
APRIL 14: Trump assigned blame on Biden, Zelenskyy, and Putin for the ongoing conflict.
Discussion of potentially withdrawing from talks
APRIL 18: Rubio hinted that without progress, the U.S. might discontinue efforts for a Russia-Ukraine peace deal. Following landmark discussions, another critical meeting was anticipated in London, expected to influence the U.S. administration’s continued involvement.
Trump concurred with Rubio on the urgency of a quick resolution, agreeing the negotiation dynamics must adapt but refrained from committing to abandon the process outright, emphasizing the need for an end to the dispute.