**Trump’s Stance on Ukraine: A Mixed Message**
US President Donald Trump‘s first week in office was marked by a mix of confusion and optimism for those with an interest in Ukraine. On January 21, his inauguration speech made no mention of Ukraine or Russia’s full-scale invasion, leaving many to wonder if the country was a priority for the new president.
**A Change in Tone**
However, just hours later, Trump hinted that he might take a hard line on Russia, saying he would likely impose additional sanctions if President Vladimir Putin failed to negotiate a peace deal with Ukraine. This comment was followed by a series of strong statements on social media, where Trump said he would be doing Putin “a very big favor” by helping end the war.
**A Psychological Shift**
Ambassador Kurt Volker, who served as US special representative for Ukraine negotiations in 2017-2019, told the Kyiv Independent that Trump’s comments were significant because they established a psychological dynamic where Putin was seen as weak and Trump as strong. This shift could be crucial in any future peace negotiations.
**Putin’s Response**
Russian President Vladimir Putin responded to Trump’s comments by claiming Russia was ready for talks with Ukraine. However, he attempted to shift the blame onto Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, saying that Zelensky had declared negotiations “impossible” while leaving the door open to discussions under different leadership.
**Ukrainian Reaction**
In Ukraine, Trump’s strong stance on Russia has been welcomed but cautiously. Oleksandr Merezhko, chair of the Ukrainian parliament’s foreign affairs committee, said he expected Trump to soon become disillusioned with Putin when he didn’t respond to the threats.
**Time is on Putin’s Side?**
Despite Trump’s confidence that he could end the war relatively swiftly, time may actually be on Putin’s side. The Kremlin’s main source of revenue for funding its war in Ukraine comes from oil exports, and recent analysis suggested that any effects from additional sanctions and lower global oil prices would likely take months to significantly hamper the Kremlin’s war machine.
**Ukrainians Take a Stand**
On the streets of Kyiv, there is little expectation that Trump will be able to end the war swiftly or even that he can do it at all. Many Ukrainians believe that ultimately, it is up to them to fight for peace themselves. As one student put it, “We can only bring peace by our own actions.”