Ukraine war continues despite Trump’s promise to end it

WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - The war in Ukraine has lasted more than four-and-a-half years, and fighting continues despite repeated efforts by President Donald Trump to end the conflict.

Trump made a pledge on the campaign trail dozens of times during the last presidential campaign.

“Before I even arrive at the Oval Office shortly after I win the presidency, I will have the horrible war between Russia and Ukraine settled,” Trump said at a July 7, 2023, rally in Council Bluffs, Iowa. “Somebody said, are you on Russia’s side? Are you on Ukraine’s side? You know what? The side — I want people to stop dying. That’s the side I’m on.”

That campaign promise has not been fulfilled.

Trump has met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy twice at the White House. He met once with Russian President Vladimir Putin, in August 2025 in Anchorage, Alaska.

“I will say that I believe we had a very productive meeting,” Trump said. “There were many, many points that we agreed on. Most of them, I would say. A couple of big ones that we haven’t quite got there, but we’ve made some headway. So, there’s no deal until there’s a deal.”

On Sept. 18, Trump signed bipartisan legislation named after the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) that imposes sanctions and tariffs targeting Russia. On Oct. 16 Trump signed an executive order waiving those sanctions.