Traditional Russian wooden nesting dolls, Matryoshka dolls, depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President-elect Donald Trump are displayed for sale at a gift shop on the touristic Arbat street in downtown Moscow on January 20, 2025, the day of Trump's inauguration ceremony. (Credit: AFP)

WASHINGTON - Donald Trump cast himself both as a peacemaker and fierce defender of US interests in a mercurial return to the White House on Monday, vowing to