Trump orders end to war in Ukraine within 100 days

Donald Trump has tasked his special envoy with ending the conflict in Ukraine within 100 days

US President Donald Trump has set an ambitious goal for his special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, to end the war in Ukraine within 100 days. However, many observers are sceptical about the feasibility of this objective, according to The Wall Street Journal.

According to the publication, Kellogg's appointment is likely the first step in broader efforts towards peace negotiations—a process that Trump plans to oversee directly. However, reaching an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin may prove to be a far more complex task than the promises Trump made during his election campaigns.

Sources note that Russia has shown no real interest in cooperating with Kellogg. Meanwhile, the Kremlin acknowledged that improved mutual understanding between Trump and Putin could potentially improve US-Russia relations during Trump's presidency. Both leaders stated that, although they have not yet met in person, they intend to do so in the near future.

Former Trump national security adviser John Bolton expressed concerns that Trump might pressure Kyiv into making dangerous concessions to Moscow in future negotiations. "I believe Putin knows how to manipulate Trump, and Kellogg is unlikely to hinder Putin's influence," Bolton commented. "Kellogg will simply carry out Trump's orders. He may offer some resistance for a short time, but Trump did not choose him for his independent decision-making."

Kellogg's appointment as envoy came after he co-authored a peace plan that criticised the Biden administration for delays in providing military aid while simultaneously accusing it of provoking Moscow by pushing Kyiv towards NATO.

The plan was published by the America First Policy Institute, a think tank supporting Trump's policies. It calls for a ceasefire and the resolution of the conflict through negotiations, using both "carrot and stick" to force Russia and Ukraine to the negotiating table.