Bold Claims, Higher Stakes: Trump’s Vision to End the War in Ukraine
Peace in 24 Hours
Donald Trump’s bold claim that he will end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours has sparked both interest and skepticism. The newly elected president, known for his headline-grabbing rhetoric, such as building a “big, beautiful wall” along the southern border—asserted that his unique negotiation skills could abruptly resolve this complex and prolonged conflict. “If you can do it in 24 hours, I invite you to Ukraine,” sharply responded President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, highlighting the distrust shared by many.
This is not the first time Trump has portrayed himself as the world’s ultimate dealmaker, even suggesting that he is perhaps the only one capable of bringing Vladimir Putin to the negotiation table. On January 21, 2025, the 47th President of the United States officially took office, making his promise all the more pressing. This raises a critical question: what would a Trump presidency mean for the war in Ukraine, and can his promises be implemented realistically? At a time when the stakes are higher than ever, it is crucial to explore the potential consequences of his leadership in resolving the Ukrainian conflict.
Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg
Trump’s Vision for Ukraine: Master Negotiator or Illusionist?
At the core of Trump’s approach is his assertion of unparalleled negotiation skills. In interviews and speeches, he suggested that both Russia and Ukraine are awaiting his leadership to broker a deal. Trump’s newly selected special advisor on the Ukraine-Russia war Keith Kellogg, a prominent figure in his prospective foreign policy team, reinforced this narrative, advocating for a strategy focused on immediate negotiations and a reduction in military aid during this critical moment on the battlefield.
Given the situation's complexity, many argue that this vision is overly simplistic. Trump’s pre-invasion history with Ukraine—including freezing military aid in 2019 and his transactional foreign policy approach—casts doubt on his ability to prioritize Ukrainian sovereignty. This skepticism is further fuelled by the so called “peace plan” proposed by Kellogg, which we will explore in more detail.
Keith Kellogg’s Plan
Retired U.S. Army General Keith Kellogg is one of the key architects of Trump's prospective Ukraine policy. Working in concert with Trump's rhetoric of action and negotiations, Kellogg's approach has three legs to the stool that would seek to de-escalate the conflict. The envoy calls for negotiations at all means. He considers bringing both sides together without preconditions with the hope of a ceasefire to start the peace resolution. In addition, Kellogg advocates scaling back U.S. military aid for Ukraine, stating that a prolonged effort is likely only to promote the continuation of the conflict. The envoy also seeks an enlarged European responsibility to solve the war and emphasizes the requirement that American burdens of security do not all rest on the United States.
Kellogg’s plan reflects Trump’s “America First” doctrine and resonates with his desire to reduce U.S. foreign commitments. However, it has raised serious concerns. Critics warn that diminishing military aid could weaken Ukraine’s negotiating position and embolden Russian aggression, a nation known to respond only to displays of strength. Moreover, shifting responsibility to European allies risks undermining Western unity, leaving Ukraine vulnerable. This is particularly troubling as some European nations, such as Slovakia and Hungary, lean toward right-wing, nationalist policies that could fracture solidarity.
Ukraine’s Sovereignty at Risk
For Ukraine, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Any negotiations involving territorial concessions would undermine the core principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity. Zelenskyy’s government has repeatedly emphasized that peace cannot come at the expense of ceding land to Russia. In his New Year’s speech, President Zelenskyy stated his hope for a just resolution to this unjust war. Yet Trump’s transactional approach to international relations, which is focused on U.S. benefits, raises doubts about his reliability in his interest for Ukraine’s sovereignty.
This issue extends far beyond Ukraine. In today’s globalized world, such concessions could inspire other authoritarian regimes to pursue aggressive expansion, eroding global norms of international law. For Ukrainians, this struggle is not only about territory but also about identity, survival, and justice. And it continues. After three years of terror, this war cannot be masked by the poker faces of politicians. According to a CIA report, Ukraine recorded the highest mortality rate and the lowest birth rate globally in 2024. What is this if not a genocide of a nation in the heart of Europe? If anyone could have stopped this war within 24 hours, it was President Putin, yet he has failed to do so over the past several years. President Trump has made a bold promise. Now, it is time to back it up with decisive action and live up to the expectations of Americans and the Ukrainian nation.