President Trump has touted himself as a global peacemaker in his second term, claiming credit for multiple ceasefires and peace deals, but he faces steep challenges in brokering ends to the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.

While he has overseen agreements in regions like the Congo, Armenia-Azerbaijan and India-Pakistan, breakthroughs in the two bloodiest conflicts remain elusive, with his efforts in Ukraine complicated by tensions with both Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky.

Critics warn that Trump’s willingness to endorse Russian territorial gains and pull back on sanctions risks emboldening Moscow, while his unwavering support for Israel amid mounting humanitarian concerns in Gaza strains his relationship with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Michael Williams, associate professor of public administration and international affairs, says that Trump has advocated for a ceasefire in Ukraine “at the expense of other strategic priorities such as stability in Europe and punishment of Russia through increased aid to Ukraine.”

Such an approach, Williams says, “would perhaps force the Kremlin to end the war, and further afield, would signal to other potential aggressors, such as China, that violations of international law will be met with a painful response.”

Read more in the Los Angeles Times article, “Trump, casting himself as ‘peacemaker-in-chief,’ faces tests in Gaza and Ukraine.”