Trump wants ‘day one’ Ukraine ceasefire – NBC

The US president-elect has not shared any details of his plan for peace with Russia, however

US President-elect Donald Trump’s team has been working hard to broker a truce between Ukraine and Russia that could pave the way to peace talks, NBC reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Trump has repeatedly slammed the Biden administration’s handling of the conflict and claimed that it would have happened at all with him in charge at the White House. He campaigned on stopping the conflict even before inauguration, though that has proven to be a tall order.

“Trump is really serious about wanting to get to a ceasefire on day one,” a source told NBC News.

According to the outlet, Trump’s national security team has already held talks with the outgoing White House and the Kiev leadership. Vice President-elect J.D. Vance and special envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg met with Vladimir Zelensky’s chief of staff Andrey Yermak last week.

Meanwhile, outgoing President Joe Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan has been in touch with his prospective successor Mike Waltz to share “relevant information,” according to NBC. However, they reportedly have not explored strategies for a ceasefire or ending the conflict. The discussions are meant to ensure Trump is not surprised by any of Biden’s actions before the January 20 inauguration, according to an unnamed senior administration official.

“The goal is for the world to understand there is a desire for the time of transition to be seen as a strong America, working for peace and stability around the world, until President-elect Trump is sworn in,” transition spokesman Brian Hughes has said.

Trump’s aides “hold a range of views” on Ukraine and have not yet presented “a conceptual or specific peace plan” to Kiev, NBC reported, citing former US officials in touch with the Ukrainians and two sources in Kiev. These sources described the Trump team’s contacts with Zelensky and his aides as “constructive” and “positive.”