The inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th U.S. president has become an event of global significance, with him promising to serve as a “peacemaker.” He emphasized that the real measure of success isn’t merely winning battles but also ending wars and, more importantly, avoiding conflict altogether.
His statements carry weight, especially in the regions that are the heart of the world’s greatest conflicts. Ukrainians, who are currently in the third year of a brutal conflict triggered by Russia’s full-scale invasion, are yearning for peace. Similarly, there are numerous people across the Middle East hoping for the cessation of conflicts.
However, the newly inaugurated President Trump did not elaborate on the process or strategies to bring about and maintain peace.
In response to Trump’s inauguration, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy expressed his congratulations via social media. He highlighted Trump’s “peace through strength policy” as an opportunity to “fortify American leadership and attain a lasting and fair peace,” which he considers of utmost importance. Zelenskiy envisions Trump’s role as a peacemaker to empower Ukraine to engage in negotiations backed by the strength of U.S. support.
Yet, Trump’s inaugural address also included criticism of the previous administration for the “unrestricted funding towards the defense of foreign borders.” A wave of anxiety has swept over Ukraine over the possibility that Trump’s presidency could undermine Ukraine by withholding military aid and pushing it into a peace agreement under unfavorable conditions.
Notwithstanding these concerns, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his willingness to engage in dialogue with the new U.S. administration to resolve the Ukraine conflict. His emphasis was on a “lasting peace that respects the legitimate interests of all parties involved.” However, these sentiments may not resonate in Ukraine, considering Putin initiated a full-scale invasion in February 2022 and continues to assert control over large sections of Ukrainian territory, including areas that his forces have not occupied.
Meanwhile, in the Middle East, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conveyed his optimism over Trump’s inauguration, expressing hope to “eradicate Iran’s terrorism axis.” Trump’s peacemaker stance also touched upon the war in Gaza. He announced the return of the Middle East hostages to their families, marking the initial phase of the ceasefire agreement that temporarily halted the 15-month conflict between Israel and Hamas, a group designated as a terrorist organization by Washington.
While the future of this fragile deal remains uncertain, so does the approach of the new administration towards upcoming discussions. Trump provided no further details on this matter, or on Ukraine for that matter.
However, it’s important to remember that this was an inaugural address, not an explicit policy declaration. The forthcoming days and weeks may bring further clarity. As it stands, Trump has provided an initial insight into his plan to reshape U.S. foreign policy.
