The White House is deliberately conveying a sense of extraordinary urgency in its efforts to broker a Ukraine peace deal, best captured by the press secretary’s phrase that the administration is working on it “as we speak.” This language aims to portray a dynamic, non-stop diplomatic push.
This emphasis on real-time action serves multiple purposes. First, it signals to both Russia and Ukraine that this initiative is the administration’s top priority. Second, it creates a public narrative of a proactive government working tirelessly to resolve a major global conflict, which can have domestic and international political benefits.
The “as we speak” framing also subtly increases pressure on all parties. It suggests that developments are happening rapidly and that any party seen as delaying or obstructing the process is holding back an active, ongoing effort. This can be a powerful tool to push reluctant actors toward the negotiating table.
While the actual pace of diplomacy may be more measured than this rhetoric suggests, the message is clear. The Trump administration wants the world to see its Ukraine peace initiative not as a slow, bureaucratic process, but as an urgent, high-energy intervention aimed at achieving a breakthrough at any moment.