Meta Description: Donald Trump vowed to end the Ukraine war in 24 hours. Two months later, no deal is in sight. Here’s a detailed timeline of the failed negotiations.
Introduction: Trump’s Bold Promise Meets Reality
During his 2024 campaign, Donald Trump repeatedly promised to end the Ukraine war within 24 hours if elected. Yet, nearly two months into his presidency, no ceasefire agreement has been reached.
Despite high-level talks between US and Russian officials, Moscow’s demands and Kyiv’s resistance have stalled progress. Below, we break down the key events in Trump’s Ukraine peace efforts—and why a deal remains elusive.
Key Moments in Trump’s Ukraine Ceasefire Negotiations
January 20, 2025: Trump’s Inauguration
- Trump takes office, renewing his pledge to quickly end the Ukraine war.
- Initially claimed he could broker peace “within 24 hours”, later admitting he was “a little sarcastic” about the timeline.
February 12: First Call with Putin
- Trump speaks with Vladimir Putin about a potential ceasefire.
- The call marks a major shift in US foreign policy, alarming European allies.
- Later, Trump informs Volodymyr Zelensky of his plans.
February 15-18: US-Russia Talks in Saudi Arabia
- Top US officials (Marco Rubio, Mike Waltz, Steve Witkoff) meet Russian diplomats in Riyadh.
- Kyiv and European leaders express frustration over being excluded from discussions.
- Rubio states “all sides must make concessions”, but no deal is reached.
February 28: Explosive Oval Office Meeting
- Zelensky visits Washington, expecting to sign a minerals deal.
- Instead, a heated argument erupts between Trump, Zelensky, and VP JD Vance.
- Vance accuses Ukraine of “not wanting peace”, leading to Zelensky’s early dismissal.
March 1-5: Military Aid & Intelligence Pauses
- Trump halts military aid shipments to Ukraine.
- The US stops sharing intelligence with Kyiv.
- Zelensky issues a statement but avoids an apology.
March 11-13: Temporary Ceasefire Agreement
- Ukraine agrees in principle to a US-backed ceasefire.
- However, Putin adds impossible conditions, including:
- Halting Ukrainian troop mobilization.
- Stopping Western weapons shipments.
March 18-21: Failed Diplomacy & Renewed Attacks
- Trump and Putin speak, but no breakthrough occurs.
- Russia attacks Odesa with drones, violating earlier assurances.
March 23-25: Black Sea Negotiations Stall
- US and Ukrainian officials hold “productive” talks in Saudi Arabia.
- A tentative deal on Black Sea navigation is proposed but collapses when Russia demands sanctions relief.
Why Hasn’t Trump Ended the Ukraine War?
- Russia’s Unrealistic Demands – Moscow insists on freezing Ukrainian defenses before any deal.
- Ukraine’s Resistance – Zelensky refuses peace without security guarantees.
- US Pressure Tactics – Trump’s aid freeze alienated Kyiv without forcing Russian concessions.
- Lack of European Involvement – Excluding NATO allies weakened negotiations.
What’s Next for Ukraine Peace Talks?
- Will Trump soften his approach? Or will Ukraine seek alternative allies?
- Can Europe mediate? France and Germany may push for inclusive negotiations.
- Will Russia escalate? Continued attacks could derail future talks.
Conclusion: A Deal Remains Out of Reach
Despite Trump’s confident promises, the Ukraine war continues with no clear end in sight. The US-Russia talks have so far failed due to competing demands and mistrust.
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