Defense Priorities Defense Priorities
  • Policy Topics
    • Ukraine-Russia
    • Israel-Hamas
    • NATO
    • China
    • Syria
    • North Korea
  • Research
    • Briefs
    • Explainers
    • Reports
  • Programs
    • Grand Strategy Program
    • Military Analysis Program
    • Asia Program
    • Middle East Program
  • Experts
  • Events
  • Media
  • About
    • Mission & Vision
    • People
    • Jobs
    • Contact
  • Donate
Select Page
Home / Grand strategy / Donald Trump is getting a reality check on his peace plans for Gaza and Ukraine
Grand strategy, Israel, Israel‑Hamas, Russia, Ukraine, Ukraine‑Russia

May 20, 2025

Donald Trump is getting a reality check on his peace plans for Gaza and Ukraine

By Daniel DePetris

If there is one lesson President Donald Trump is learning during the first four months of his second term, it’s that talking about peace isn’t the same as fostering it. In Ukraine and Gaza, host to two of the most intractable wars in the world, the president is striking out.

The self-professed master dealmaker devoted considerable time on the campaign trail trumpeting his ambitions for a more peaceful world and bragging about how he was the only person on the planet with the talent and stamina to end the wars his predecessor Joe Biden couldn’t.

On the war in Ukraine, Trump boasted how he would quickly get Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin in the same room to hash out the issues like adults, perhaps not appreciating just how difficult it would be to corral the men together.

Read at Chicago Tribune

Author

Photo of Daniel DePetris

Daniel
DePetris

Fellow

Defense Priorities

More on Eurasia

op-edUkraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine

Are the Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks Going Anywhere?

By Daniel DePetris

June 3, 2025

op-edUkraine‑Russia, Drones, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine

Drone attack may do Ukraine more harm than good

By Jennifer Kavanagh

June 2, 2025

In the mediaUkraine‑Russia, Drones, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine

Daniel Davis on NBC News discusses Ukraine’s recent drone attacks inside Russia

Featuring Daniel Davis

June 2, 2025

In the mediaUkraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine

Why Trump can’t get ‘crazy’ Putin to end the war

Featuring Rajan Menon

May 29, 2025

op-edUkraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine

Is Trump’s unified Republican front fracturing over Russia?

By Daniel DePetris

May 28, 2025

op-edUkraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia, NATO, Russia, Ukraine

Putin would be foolish to attack Nato

By Jennifer Kavanagh

May 27, 2025

Events on Grand strategy

See All Events
virtualGreat power competition, Balance of power, China, Grand strategy, Middle East

Virtual: U.S.-China competition and the value of Middle East influence

June 10, 2025
virtualChina, Alliances, Balance of power, Diplomacy, Grand strategy, Russia

Past Virtual Event: China-Russia: Cooperation or a no-limits alliance?

April 3, 2025
virtualSyria, Balance of power, Basing and force posture, Counterterrorism, Middle East, Military analysis

Past Virtual Event: Syria after Assad: Prospects for U.S. withdrawal

February 21, 2025

Receive expert foreign policy analysis

Join the hub of realism and restraint

Expert updates and analysis to enhance your understanding of vital U.S. national security issues

Defense Priority Mono Logo

Our mission is to inform citizens, thought leaders, and policymakers of the importance of a strong, dynamic military—used more judiciously to protect America’s narrowly defined national interests—and promote a realistic grand strategy prioritizing restraint, diplomacy, and free trade to ensure U.S. security.

  • About
  • For Media
  • Jobs
  • Donate
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact
© 2025 Defense Priorities All Right Reserved