President Donald Trump sharply escalated pressure on Russia this week, cutting his original 50-day cease-fire window to just 10 days, warning of new sanctions and tariffs if Moscow does not show progress toward ending its war in Ukraine.
“I’m very disappointed in President Putin,” Trump said Monday in Scotland. “There’s no reason in waiting… We just don’t see any progress being made.”
Trump made the remarks during a joint appearance with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, signaling that he’s no longer interested in prolonged negotiations.
Kremlin Responds: “We’ve Taken Trump’s Statement Into Account”
On Tuesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed Moscow had received and acknowledged Trump’s ultimatum.
“We’ve taken into account President Trump’s statement,” Peskov said via TASS, Russia’s state-run media.
However, he made clear that Russia would continue military operations, insisting that it remains “committed to the peace process” but must also defend its strategic interests in Ukraine.
“The normalization process [with the U.S.] is proceeding sluggishly,” Peskov admitted. “We would like to see more momentum.”
Medvedev: Trump Playing “A Game of Ultimatums”
Former Russian President and Putin ally Dmitry Medvedev, now deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, accused Trump of reckless escalation.
“Each new ultimatum is a threat and a step towards war,” Medvedev wrote on X. “Not between Russia and Ukraine, but with [Trump’s] own country.”
Trump Threatens Sanctions on Russia and Its Trade Partners
Trump reiterated that sanctions and “secondary tariffs” — potentially on nations doing business with Moscow — are on the table if Russia refuses to act.
“I’m going to make a new deadline of about 10 or 12 days from today,” Trump said. “I’m going to reduce that 50 days that I gave him… because I think I already know the answer.”
While Trump said he loves the Russian people and doesn’t want to impose new penalties, he insisted that Putin’s actions leave him no choice.
“That’s not the way to do it,” Trump said of recent Russian missile strikes on civilian areas, including nursing homes in Kyiv.
U.S.-Russia Relations at a Crossroads
Trump’s remarks reflect growing frustration within the White House as Russia continues long-range strikes on Ukraine and refuses to accept any U.S.-backed cease-fire proposals.
The president has emphasized his past success in ending conflicts between nations like India and Pakistan, and Rwanda and Congo, while campaigning on a promise to end the Ukraine war quickly.
What Comes Next
With the 10-day clock now ticking, all eyes are on Moscow’s next move. Trump’s clear warning sets the stage for possible economic warfare, while Russia has responded with rhetorical defiance.
Whether Putin yields or doubles down will determine whether Trump’s “deal-first” diplomacy breaks the stalemate — or accelerates the path to wider confrontation.
