When Donald Trump was campaigning for the U.S. presidency, he confidently claimed that he could end the Russia-Ukraine war within 24 hours. However, more than two months into his presidency, the war continues. So, why is Trump facing difficulties in achieving a ceasefire?

1. Trump’s Overreliance on ‘Deal-Making’ Over Diplomacy

Trump has always portrayed himself as a master dealmaker, believing that direct negotiations with world leaders can resolve any crisis. Following this approach, he held long phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin in February and March 2025. However, these discussions failed to produce any meaningful breakthrough.

2. Russia’s Tough Conditions

Russia has demanded the lifting of Western sanctions on its trade of food and fertilizers as a condition for a ceasefire in the Black Sea. The U.S. and European nations are reluctant to agree, causing negotiations to stall.

3. Ukraine’s Lack of Trust

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky remains skeptical of any deal that favors Russia. He fears that if the U.S. accepts Russian conditions, the ceasefire will only be temporary, and Russia could launch another offensive later. He has urged the U.S. to stand firm against Russian pressure.

4. Trump’s Shifting Narrative

During his campaign, Trump promised to end the war before even taking office. Later, he modified his stance, claiming he would resolve it within 24 hours of becoming president. Now, after two months in office, he has acknowledged that the war may take longer to resolve than he initially expected.

5. Russia’s Broken Promises

After Trump’s discussions with Putin, Russia assured that it would stop targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. However, Ukraine has alleged that Russia violated this promise within an hour of the conversation. This has further complicated trust in negotiations.

Conclusion

Trump’s claim that he could end the war quickly has not translated into reality. His strategy of relying on personal diplomacy rather than a comprehensive diplomatic framework appears to be failing. The Russia-Ukraine war is proving to be far more complex than Trump anticipated, and achieving a ceasefire requires more than just negotiations—it demands strategic diplomacy, international cooperation, and real policy action.