Donald Trump has been sworn in as the 47th president of the United States, pledging to be a "peacemaker."
"We will measure our success not only by the battles we win, but also by the wars that we end, and perhaps most importantly, the wars we never get into," he said.
The remarks address hopes and fears in the world's biggest conflict zones.
For Ukrainians, enduring a third year of brutal conflict following Russia's full-scale invasion, peace is sorely desired. Likewise, across the Middle East, there will be many people hoping for an end to conflict.
But Trump did not provide any details of how peace will be achieved and maintained.
Ukraine Reaction
Congratulating Trump on social media, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy wrote that Trump's "peace through strength policy" was a chance to "strengthen American leadership and achieve a long-term and just peace, which is the top priority."
This is how Zelenskiy would like to frame Trump as peacemaker: enabling Ukraine to enter talks from a position of U.S.-supplied strength.
But in his address, Trump voiced criticism of the previous administration for "unlimited funding to the defense of foreign borders."
There's concern in Ukraine that Trump's arrival could weaken Ukraine by withholding military support and force it into a peace on unfavorable terms.
"Everyone is very tired of [the war], but I don't really expect him to be a magician and turn it all into a fairy tale," a woman in Zaporizhzhya told RFE/RL a few hours before the inauguration.
Putin: Open To Dialogue
Comments by Russian President Vladimir Putin underlined these fears.
Speaking at a meeting of his National Security Council, Putin said he was open to dialogue with the new U.S. administration on ending the Ukraine conflict, based on a “lasting peace based on respect for the legitimate interests of all people.”
These words will ring hollow in Ukraine, where Putin launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022. He still lays claim to huge areas of Ukrainian territory, including parts that his forces have not occupied.
In the Middle East, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu greeted Trump's inauguration by voicing hope that "we will complete the defeat of Iran's terror axis."
Trump's comments about being a peacemaker were accompanied by a reference to the war in Gaza.
"I'm pleased to say that as of yesterday, one day before I assumed office, the hostages in the Middle East are coming back home to their families," he said.
This was the first stage of the cease-fire deal that brought a pause to 15-months of conflict between Israel and Hamas, listed as a terrorist organization by Washington.
It's unclear whether the shaky deal will hold. Likewise, it's unclear how the new administration will approach further planned talks. On this, as on Ukraine, Trump did not add any details.
But this was an inaugural address, not a policy statement. The days and weeks that follow may put flesh on the bones. For now, Trump has offered a first glimpse of how he intends to redefine U.S. foreign policy.
