‘Will end Ukraine war, prevent World War III,’ vows Trump

Washington: On the eve of his inauguration as the 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump pledged to end the Ukraine war, restore stability in the Middle East, and implement the most aggressive measures yet to curb illegal immigration. Speaking at a victory rally in Washington, D.C., Trump previewed key elements of his inaugural address and outlined plans for immediate executive action.

Trump will officially assume office on Monday at noon (U.S. Eastern Time) in a ceremony relocated to the Capitol Rotunda due to extreme cold. Addressing supporters gathered at a sports arena in the capital, he declared, "I will end the war in Ukraine. I will stop the chaos in the Middle East and prevent World War Three. And you have no idea how close we are."

The Ukraine conflict, fueled by Russia’s 2023 invasion, has persisted largely due to robust support from a U.S.-led coalition of Western nations. Outgoing President Joe Biden had maintained a steadfast "whatever-it-takes" stance, emphasizing that any ceasefire or resolution should remain Ukraine’s decision. However, Trump’s firm resolve, as expressed Sunday, leaves little ambiguity regarding his intent to intervene decisively.

Trump has already made moves in the Middle East. His special envoy, Steve Witkoff, was instrumental in the U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which took effect on Sunday. Trump claimed credit for ending the prolonged negotiations, a point of contention with Biden, who dismissed suggestions of shared accolades with his successor.

Beyond foreign policy, Trump reiterated his commitment to curbing illegal immigration. Promising transformative measures, he stated, "I will announce the most aggressive, sweeping effort to restore our borders the world has ever seen" during his inaugural address.

The President-elect also vowed to roll back climate regulations to expand oil exploration and drilling, referring to oil as "liquid gold." He outlined plans to incentivize domestic businesses with "Buy American, Hire American" policies, reduce taxes and government bureaucracy, and promote government transparency. To that end, he announced the imminent release of previously undisclosed records concerning the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr.

Trump’s rally previewed a presidency poised to usher in significant domestic and international changes as he prepares to take office amidst high public and global expectations.

With IANS inputs