President-elect Donald Trump has recently made statements regarding his intentions to end the war in Ukraine as early as inauguration day. During a TV interview in 2023, Trump emphasized the importance of his relationships with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and Russian President Putin in achieving this goal.
Trump expressed confidence in his ability to negotiate a deal, stating, 'I know Zelenskyy very well, and I know Putin very well, even better. I would tell Zelenskyy, no more. You got to make a deal. I would tell Putin, if you don't make a deal, we're going to give him a lot. We're going to [give Ukraine] more than they ever got if we have to. I will have the deal done in one day. One day.'
A former Trump National Security Council aide highlighted Trump's autonomy in making decisions on national security issues, particularly on matters as significant as the conflict in Ukraine. The aide emphasized that Trump's approach to such issues is often spontaneous and based on his personal judgment.
Despite the complexities of the situation, Trump reportedly engaged in discussions with President Zelenskyy as recently as Wednesday and committed to maintaining close communication and cooperation with Ukraine.
As the world watches closely, Trump's proposed strategy for resolving the conflict in Ukraine hinges on his personal relationships with key leaders and his confidence in his ability to broker a deal swiftly.
