Trump Aims to End Ukraine War Within Six Months, Plans Call with Putin

Jan 20, 2025, 09:26 AM

Donald Trump, set to be inaugurated as U.S. President, has reiterated his commitment to ending the war in Ukraine, a promise he made during his campaign. Trump has instructed his team to arrange a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the days following his inauguration, with the aim of setting up a face-to-face meeting to discuss ending the conflict. This approach marks a significant shift from the policies of the previous administration, as Trump seeks direct engagement with Putin to resolve the issue. Trump's campaign rhetoric included promises to end the war within 24 hours of taking office, though recent statements suggest a more realistic timeline of six months may be needed. The Kremlin has expressed readiness for talks but insists on concessions from Ukraine that are widely seen as unattainable, fueling speculation that Russia may seek to prolong the conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed hope that Trump will pressure Russia into negotiations, though experts doubt Trump's ability to deliver on his promises given the complexities of the situation. Zelensky seeks security guarantees from the U.S. and has voiced concerns over Ukraine's NATO membership aspirations.