Trump Claims He Could End Russia-Ukraine War in a Day; Russia’s UN Ambassador Disagrees

Former President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed that he could resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict within a single day if re-elected. In a town hall in May 2023, Trump stated, “They’re dying, Russians and Ukrainians. I want them to stop dying. And I’ll have that done — I’ll have that done in 24 hours.” He suggested that this swift resolution would follow meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump has continued to promote this assertion on the campaign trail.
However, Russia’s ambassador to the United Nations, Vassily Nebenzia, has countered Trump’s claim. In response to reporters on Monday, Nebenzia argued that the Ukrainian crisis cannot be resolved in such a short time frame. He referred to the missed opportunity for peace in April 2022, when Russia and Ukraine were close to an agreement but failed to reach a deal. Nebenzia criticized Ukraine’s Western allies for reportedly pressuring Kyiv to continue fighting rather than negotiating.
Nebenzia also dismissed Zelenskyy’s peace plan as unrealistic and labeled it a “joke.” He pointed to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s June 14 offer for a cease-fire and negotiations if Kyiv began withdrawing troops from the four regions annexed by Moscow in 2022 and renounced NATO membership. Zelenskyy has rejected these terms, maintaining his stance against ceding any territory.
The Trump campaign has not yet responded to Nebenzia’s comments. Meanwhile, the situation on the ground remains complex. Ukrainian forces have continued to push back against Russian advances, particularly in the southern and eastern regions of Ukraine, where Moscow has illegally seized territory. Despite receiving delayed military aid from the U.S., Ukraine faces ongoing challenges in stabilizing its front lines, while Russia has exploited gaps in Ukrainian defenses to gain ground.
As the conflict persists, both diplomatic efforts and military developments continue to shape the prospects for peace.