Kurt Volker, Trump's Ukraine adviser in his first term and former U.S. Ambassador to the NATO military alliance, told Reuters the U.S. leader had started his second term with a challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin to secure peace either "the easy way or the hard way".

Vice President JD Vance said Wednesday that the Russians are “asking for too much” in requirements to end the war with Ukraine and that he believes it’s time the two sides come together in “direct negotiation.