Critics are putting newly elected President Donald Trump on edge after a key adviser appeared to back away from a major campaign promise.
Trump has repeatedly claimed that he would end the war between Russia and Ukraine within 24 hours of taking office or even sooner.
But retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, who was tapped by Trump to serve as special envoy to the two countries, told Fox News last week that it would take longer — echoing comments Trump himself had previously made.
“Let's put it at 100 days and go all the way back and figure out a way that we can do this in the short term to make sure that the solution is solid and sustainable, and that this war ends so that we can stop the carnage. he said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin launched the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, setting off a costly and brutal campaign. The Pentagon estimated last year that more than 600,000 Russian soldiers had been killed or wounded in the conflict, while Ukraine said last month that 43,000 of its soldiers had been killed and another 370,000 wounded.
Kellogg told Fox News that he had “a lot of confidence” in Trump's ability to end the bloodshed.
“I think what people need to understand is that he's not trying to give anything to Putin or to the Russians,” Kellogg said. “He's actually trying to save Ukraine and save their sovereignty, and he's going to make sure it's fair and just.”
However, his 100-day timeline is a far cry from Trump's repeated pledge to end the war much sooner.
“I would settle that in 24 hours, and if I win, before I get to office, I will get that war settled,” Trump said in 2023. “100% sure.”
Trump walked that back last week when asked for a timeline.
“I hope to have six months,” Trump told reporters at a news conference last week. “I hope for a long time for six months.”
The president-elect's critics offered some blunt reminders of his earlier promise to end the war much sooner:
