Why Trump’s quick fix for Ukraine war won’t work

Concessions of territory and new power alliances among the issues keeping Putin and Zelensky from entering peace talks

- TOM WATLING

US president Donald Trump’s pre-election promises to end the war in Ukraine in less than 24 hours – and before his inauguration – have proved empty.

Keith Kellogg, Mr Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, says the administration’s new goal is to stop the fighting in 100 days. But details on how this will be achieved remain scant. Mr Trump has repeatedly claimed this is because speaking openly about his plans would undermine his negotiating position. His detractors, however, say this is a cover for him not having a plan.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian leader Vladimir Putin, meanwhile, have both expressed a willingness to speak with Mr Trump, though both have their own demands if peace is to be achieved.

Below, The Independent looks at the factors at play and why a peace deal could prove elusive.

Sanctions

Two days after Mr Trump’s inauguration, the US president gave the first brief insight into his plans. “If a deal is not reached, I will have no other choice but to put high levels of taxes, tariffs, and sanctions on anything being sold by Russia to the United States and other participating countries,” he posted on his social media platform Truth Social.

“We can do it the easy way or the hard way,” he said, adding: “The easy way is always better.”

A week previously,