President Donald Trump is imposing a new, accelerated pace on global diplomacy, compressing what would normally be months of negotiation into a frantic two-week decision cycle. His ultimatum on Ukraine is the latest example of this high-speed approach.
This method rejects the slow, incremental process of traditional diplomacy in favor of a shock-and-awe tactic designed to force immediate results. It creates a sense of crisis that compels actors to make choices they might otherwise postpone.
The effect is visible in the rapid response from Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s speech praising Trump was a direct and immediate reaction to the new timeline, demonstrating how effectively the deadline has seized the attention of the Kremlin.
While this accelerated pace can break stalemates, it also carries significant risks. It leaves little room for careful deliberation, increases the chances of miscalculation, and can lead to unstable outcomes. The world will now see if this two-week diplomatic sprint can achieve a lasting peace or if it will simply lead to a different kind of crisis.