Ukraine war enters fifth year without a deal
President Trump’s campaign pledge to settle the conflict before taking office has lapsed as sanctions signed in September were waived in October.
By Zara Ahmed ·
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has continued for more than four and a half years, a duration that now exceeds the five-year mark by a few months. Fighting persists on the ground despite President Donald Trump’s repeated attempts to broker a ceasefire.
Trump campaigned on the promise of a swift resolution, telling supporters at a July 7, 2023, rally in Council Bluffs, Iowa, that he would have the war settled before arriving at the Oval Office. He described his position as being on the side of people who want to stop dying, a stance he reiterated dozens of times during the presidential campaign.
Since taking office, the president has engaged in direct diplomacy with both leaders. He has met twice with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House. His only face-to-face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin took place in August 2025 in Anchorage, Alaska.
Trump characterized the Anchorage summit as productive, stating that the two leaders agreed on many points. He noted that while a few major issues remained unresolved, the discussions made headway. He maintained that no formal deal exists until one is signed.
Legislative action followed the diplomatic efforts. On September 18, Trump signed bipartisan legislation named for the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. The bill imposed new sanctions and tariffs targeting Russia. Just four weeks later, on October 16, Trump signed an executive order that waived those sanctions.
The timeline shows a shift from legislative pressure to executive relief within a single quarter. The war remains active in 2026, with no announced end date from either Moscow or Kyiv.
Source: KPTV
