U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to make resolving the Russia-Ukraine war a key focus of his administration, condemning the ongoing loss of life in the conflict. Speaking at a gala hosted by the America First Policy Institute at his Mar-a-Lago estate, Trump highlighted his commitment to global peace initiatives.
"We're going to work on the Middle East, and we're going to work very hard on Russia and Ukraine. It’s got to stop," Trump said during his first major public address since his victory in the November 5 presidential election.
Referring to recent reports of escalating violence in Ukraine, Trump expressed his dismay: "Thousands of people have been killed over the last three days—soldiers and civilians alike. Whether they’re soldiers or people sitting in towns, this must end."
A Focus on Reducing U.S. Involvement Abroad
Trump has consistently voiced his intention to reduce the financial strain of U.S. military aid to Ukraine, emphasizing his goal of ending the war and curbing what he sees as unnecessary resource expenditures.
Lisa Curtis, a former senior advisor to Trump and an expert on South and Central Asia, stressed the importance of resolving the conflict in a way that deters future aggression. “Russia must face consequences for its actions, and the resolution should not embolden other nations to invade their neighbors illegally,” Curtis said in an interview.
Curtis, now a Senior Fellow at the Center for a New American Security, added, "The settlement must ensure Russia doesn’t repeat this behavior or inspire similar actions by other adversaries."
During the Mar-a-Lago gala, Trump praised Tesla CEO Elon Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, both of whom are set to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in his second term. Trump also lauded Hindu-American Tulsi Gabbard, his pick for Director of National Intelligence, for her commitment to public service.
Renewed Focus on Global Peace
Trump’s remarks indicate a renewed focus on international diplomacy, aiming to address two of the world's most pressing geopolitical challenges: the war in Ukraine and stability in the Middle East. His administration’s approach will be closely watched as it seeks to balance U.S. interests with global peace-building efforts.