“Settling the war in Ukraine in 24 hours”, the promise that will catch up with Donald Trump after his re-election

UKRAINE – Campaign promises are good, we will now have to keep them. Donald Trump was elected President of the United States again this Wednesday, November 6, to the great fear of Democrats and their supporters. And it is not only within his country that the new president is expected to turn the corner: in Ukraine too we are asking a lot of questions.

As soon as his victory was announced, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated Donald Trump, hoping that his election will help Ukraine obtain a “just peace”. “I appreciate President Trump’s commitment to the ‘peace through strength’ approach to world affairs. This is exactly the principle that can concretely bring Ukraine closer to a just peace”said the Ukrainian leader.

End the war in “ 24 hours »…

And for good reason, during his campaign, Donald Trump repeatedly insisted that he could impose peace in Ukraine with the snap of his fingers, without ever explaining how. This, however, decries the extent of the aid paid to kyiv to resist the Russian invasion. He also made laudatory remarks about Vladimir Putin, which seems to go against the famous “just peace” demanded by kyiv.

“If I were president, and I say I am, I would end this war in one day. It would take 24 hours. I know Zelensky well, I know Putin well”he had already assured in May 2023, interviewed by former politician and Brexit figure Nigel Farage. He even mentioned a “ easy negotiation » Last September, he declared that he had a “ precise plan to stop Ukraine and Russia »but wanted to “keep it a surprise” about it. “If I win, as president-elect, I will ensure that a deal is reached, guaranteed”he said.

…but keep “ the element of surprise »

But when asked to explain his plan, the Republican insisted on the need to keep a ” surprise effect ». « If I give them to you, I won’t be able to use them.”he said during an interview with American podcaster Lex Fridman.

In May 2023, however, he specified: “It has a lot to do with money, it has a lot to do with military aid. You know what we (the United States, editor’s note) give.” And to insist: “But I will settle the deal within 24 hours. This war must be stopped. This war is a disaster”. In another speech, he mentioned forcing the belligerents to negotiate.

Even if Ukraine, supported financially and militarily by the United States, cedes part of the territories occupied by Russia, as revealed by sources in Washington Post since last April.

Ukraine hopes for a “ just peace »

This is also why in his message, President Zelensky noted “President Trump’s commitment to the “peace through strength” approach to international issues. This is exactly the principle that can concretely bring Ukraine closer to a just peace”. This despite Republican obstruction of votes in favor of an aid plan for Ukraine earlier this year.

As AFP points out, in Europe as in Ukraine, the fear is to see Donald Trump force Ukraine to negotiate with Russia under conditions very favorable to Moscow. Fearing this outcome, Volodymyr Zelensky calls for “strong bipartisan support for Ukraine”. “We hope to strengthen our strategic partnership”declared the Ukrainian Prime Minister, Denys Chmygal, while also pleading for a “just peace”.

In his speech to congratulate Donald Trump, the Ukrainian president recalled his « formidable » meeting with the Republican in New York in September, during which they “discussed in detail the strategic partnership between Ukraine and the United States, the victory plan and ways to stop Russian aggression against Ukraine”.

It remains to be seen whether the 47th President of the United States keeps his promise, and how he intends to achieve it while taking into account the demands of both parties.

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