Donald Trump, the US President, has claimed to have ended six wars since becoming president, but the reality of these conflicts is more complex.
Trump made this assertion during talks over Ukraine at the White House, touting himself as a “peacemaker-in-chief.”
However, a closer look at the conflicts he claims to have resolved reveals that some of these agreements were fragile ceasefires, disputed by the governments involved, or remain unresolved.
Trump’s administration has referenced numerous conflicts that he says his leadership helped bring to an end. These include:
- Israel and Iran: Trump ordered US strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites, followed by a ceasefire agreement. Critics argue that the US was an active combatant, making the claim of “ending a war” complicated.
- Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda: A peace agreement was signed in Washington, but both sides accused each other of breaking the truce soon after.
- Cambodia and Thailand: A brief border war ended after US pressure, with both countries agreeing to a ceasefire. However, both sides accused each other of fresh attacks soon after.
- India and Pakistan: Trump announced a ceasefire between the two countries after a long night of talks. However, India has repeatedly denied that Washington had any role in halting the fighting.
- Serbia and Kosovo: Trump’s administration oversaw the Washington Agreement, focusing on short-term economic normalization. Tensions over recognition and borders remain unresolved.
- Egypt and Ethiopia: No peace deal was ever signed, and the dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam continues.
Trump’s record on ceasefires is inconsistent. In some cases, he has sought temporary ceasefires, while in others, he has claimed to have achieved more lasting peace agreements.
During his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump stated, “If you look at the six deals that I settled this year, they were all at war. I didn’t do any ceasefires.”
However, his past statements reveal a different story. On May 10, Trump announced a full and immediate ceasefire between India and Pakistan, saying, “congratulations to both Countries on using Common Sense and Great Intelligence.”
Similarly, on July 26, Trump called for a ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia, stating, “I am trying to simplify a complex situation!”
Trump’s claims of ending six wars have raised questions about the accuracy of his assertions. While he has indeed helped broker talks and agreements, many of these conflicts are far from permanently settled.
The complexity of these conflicts and the nuances of Trump’s involvement make it challenging to evaluate the success of his peace efforts.
As Trump continues to push for a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia, his record on conflict resolution will likely face further scrutiny.