Trump’s First 100 Days: Promises of Quick Peace Clash with Reality

As Donald Trump approaches the 100-day mark of his second term in the White House, he remains steadfast in his bold claims of rapid change promising to end Russia’s war in Ukraine within the first 24 hours and secure lasting peace in the Gaza conflict. Yet, the reality of his foreign policy progress tells a different story, with the former president struggling to deliver on these high-stakes promises and showing signs of frustration.

In a recent interview with Time magazine, Trump defended his slow progress, questioning why, after three years of conflict, “what’s taken so long?” regarding Ukraine. Regarding Gaza, he insisted the war “would have never happened. Ever,” arguing it was a conflict that should never have arisen in the first place.

While the first 100 days is an often arbitrary benchmark, it’s historically seen as a period where presidents set the tone and prioritize their goals. Trump’s campaign was marked by an aggressive push to reshape U.S. foreign policy launching a global tariff war, cutting aid to allies, and even contemplating bold ideas like taking Greenland from Denmark and making Canada the 51st state. These moves signaled a seismic shift away from the post-World War II rules-based order that underpins global stability.

However, the failure to broker peace in Ukraine and Gaza so far highlights the limits of Trump’s approach. His efforts to shake up international diplomacy through sheer willpower have met obstacles, and his frustrations are evident particularly with Ukraine, which he has long dismissed as a costly and pointless conflict. His relationship with Kyiv has been strained since a tense Oval Office encounter in February, where he and Vice President JD Vance publicly lectured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about his gratitude for U.S. support before abruptly asking him to leave the White House grounds.

As the Biden administration continues to navigate these complex conflicts, Trump’s claims of swift resolution appear increasingly aspirational. His second term’s early days underscore the immense challenge of transforming foreign policy overnight—reminding us that peace-building often takes years, not weeks, regardless of the ambitions of those in charge.