Trump’s Ukraine Strategy in Disarray as Peacemaking Efforts Stumble

The abrupt dismantling of a White House working group dedicated to Ukraine has significantly hampered former President Donald Trump‘s attempts at international peacemaking. This move follows a broader shakeup within the National Security Council, raising concerns about the future of his foreign policy initiatives.

The Dissolution of the Working Group

About three weeks ago, the working group’s operations ceased, according to several officials. The team focused directly on the Ukraine war was disbanded, a consequence of a broader White House National Security Council staff reduction. High-ranking NSC staffers established and oversaw the effort. Participants also came from the State Department, Treasury Department, the Pentagon, and the intelligence community. Andrew Peek, the top NSC official for Europe and Russia, was removed in May.

The specific origins of the order to halt the group’s work remain unclear, but the extensive NSC cuts played a major role in making continued efforts untenable.

Stalled Peace Efforts

Since the group’s dissolution, Trump‘s wider peacemaking efforts have encountered obstacles, despite promises made during his campaign. Though some successes—such as a US-brokered ceasefire between India and Pakistan—have emerged, little progress has been made in achieving a ceasefire in Gaza. The risk of a regional war in the Middle East has increased rapidly due to the Israel-Iran conflict.

Other Developments

The group’s disbanding happened after the suspension of work by some US national security agencies on a coordinated effort to counter Russian sabotage and disinformation operations, as reported by Reuters. Regardless of the working group’s fate, Trump could still choose a firmer approach toward Russia.

Some of Trump‘s allies, including Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, have suggested additional sanctions against Russia, pointing to Moscow’s rejection of US ceasefire proposals and continuous attacks on civilian targets as evidence of Putin‘s recalcitrance. Trump has stated he is weighing such measures but has also criticized both sides involved in the ongoing hostilities.

According to the Council on Foreign Relations, between 2022 and 2023, the global number of conflicts increased by 17%, underscoring the growing challenges of international peace initiatives (CFR Report).

No Official Response

The White House, the Treasury Department, the State Department, and the Pentagon all declined to comment. The Ukrainian and Russian embassies in Washington also did not provide any response to requests for comments.