Trump's Bold Promise to End Ukraine War in 24 Hours Falls Flat

President Donald Trump has failed to meet his self-imposed deadline for ending the war in Ukraine, a pledge he repeatedly made during his campaign. While few believed his claim that he could resolve the three-year conflict within 24 hours, the missed target and lack of focus on Ukraine during his inauguration events highlight the complexity of the situation.

Trump's inauguration speech included a range of priorities, but Ukraine was not among them. While he described himself as a "peacemaker," there was no mention of continued U.S. assistance to Kyiv or specific strategies for resolving the war. The new administration's special envoy to Ukraine has already asked for 100 days to explore potential solutions.

Trump has indicated that his first priority is to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom he criticized during his first Oval Office remarks, accusing him of mismanaging Russia. "He's not doing so well," Trump commented, noting Russia's larger military and higher potential for losses. Despite this criticism, Trump is pushing for a direct phone call with Putin, with plans to arrange an in-person meeting in the coming months. Possible venues for the talks include Switzerland or Serbia.

This approach marks a departure from former President Joe Biden's strategy, as Biden avoided direct engagement with Putin for years, doubting its effectiveness in resolving the conflict. Trump, however, believes that open dialogue with the Russian leader is essential. "How are you going to solve this without talking?" a source close to Trump stated, reflecting the president's mindset.

The specifics of Trump's proposed solution remain unclear, but administration officials acknowledge that any agreement will likely...