‘Trump wants peace in Ukraine within 100 days because that suits his narrative’
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A Russian strike has killed twelve people in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, with some suggesting Vladimir Putin has been emboldened by Trump’s support to up the aggression in his illegal invasion. Is this a turning point for the president, and his approach to peace?
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In brief…
- Donald Trump was blaming Volodymyr Zelensky for the lack of a peace deal in Ukraine just hours before a Russian strike on Kyiv. He later issued mild criticism of Putin on social media.
- The News Agents say Trump has struggled to build bridges with Zelensky because of his determination to forge a peace deal that benefits Ukraine, while the president is keen to end the war quickly, and give Ukrainian land to Russia.
- They say Trump is keen to have peace in Ukraine sorted – one way or another - before his 100 day presidency milestone, but this is highly unlikely to happen.
What’s the story?
On Wednesday night, Donald Trump claimed Volodymyr Zelensky was to blame for the lack of a peace deal in Ukraine.
Hours later, a Russian strike killed twelve people, and injured many more – including children – in Ukraine's capital city of Kyiv.
"He has nothing to boast about! The situation for Ukraine is dire - He can have Peace or, he can fight for another three years before losing the whole country," Trump wrote on Wednesday night.
"I'm not happy with the Russian strikes on Kyiv," he wrote on Thursday.
"Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, stop!"
'Not happy' is the closest Trump has come to condemning Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine.
Since returning to the White House, Trump has spoken openly and frequently about his goal of bringing peace to Ukraine, which was first invaded by Russia in 2022 – but his discussions have largely been with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, who Trump has praised, and proposed deals that would result in Ukraine losing the territory claimed by his forces.
When Trump met Zelensky in the Oval Office, it descended into a public clash in front of TV cameras as the Ukrainian leader was attacked by Trump, vice president JD Vance and right-wing press.
Why does Trump dislike Zelensky so much?
Vladimir Putin said he prayed for "his friend" Donald Trump when an attempt was made on his life during the 2024 election campaign and earlier this year, presented Trump with a portrait of himself as a gift.
Zelensky, on the other hand, has done nothing of the sort, instead focusing solely on the peace process, making enemies in the White House in the process for his refusal to pander to the President's vanity.
"I'm sure Donald Trump is absolutely accurate when he says that Zelensky is much more difficult to deal with than Vladimir Putin," says Jon Sopel.
"Vladimir Putin is able to keep all the land that he has taken from Ukraine. He'll have control of Crimea. He'll have trade with the United States, where Ukraine gets nothing – capitulation, a surrender.
"No wonder Zelensky, who is representing the interests of his country, and whose country was invaded by Vladimir Putin three years ago, is fighting his corner – and no wonder that Donald Trump finds it easier to deal with Vladimir Putin, who's getting everything."
Can Trump be blamed for Russia's strike on Kyiv?
The News Agents say that Trump's pandering to Putin, including social media posts blaming Zelensky for the ongoing war and lack of resolution, may have empowered the Russian leader to up the ante – and the aggression – in how he continues the Ukraine invasion.
"There are many now wondering if that kind of messaging has given Putin the green light to go to places of violence that the Russian president would have felt previously were out of bounds," says Emily Maitlis.
"In other words, Trump has not only failed to secure a peace deal, but he has facilitated even more murder on behalf of Russia's leader.”
She adds that these growing concerns may have directly influenced Trump's first criticism of Putin.
"It is almost the blinkers-coming-off moment of a man who realises that you actually have to ask more than one side to stop fighting if you want a peace deal," Emily says.
"There are not two countries in this peace deal with Trump's appeasement and encouragement of Russia."
Why Trump's desperation to seal the deal?
Before winning the 2024 election, Donald Trump said he could resolve the war in Ukraine in one day.
Next week, he will have been in power for 100 days, and is no closer to reaching a resolve.
Jon says he "salutes" Donald Trump's ambition to end the conflict, after all, who doesn't want the war to stop? The major problem with the president's tactics is the arbitrary timeline that has been forced on the peace process.
"Trump wants this done within 100 days, because that suits his narrative," Jon says.
"It will take as long as it takes, and isn't it better to get the deal that does justice to both sides, if that's possible.
"It's an utterly artificial timetable that has been set which is dictating and determining the actions of the US administration."
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