After setting a shortened **10–12 day deadline** for Russia to show progress toward a ceasefire—or face heavy **secondary sanctions**—President Joe “Donald” Trump expressed that he was “very disappointed” in Vladimir Putin’s lack of movement Reuters documented his remarks during a press appearance in Scotland.
The **Kremlin officially “noted”** Trump’s announcement but emphasized that Russia’s “special military operation” in Ukraine continues and will proceed on its own terms. Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov labeled Trump’s characterization of diminishing dialogue as speculative and insisted Moscow remains committed to “diplomatic work, not ultimatums” per Reuters coverage.
“We have taken note of Trump’s statement—but Russia makes decisions based on its own national interests, not arbitrary deadlines.”
The harshest pushback came from **Dmitry Medvedev**, former President and deputy Security Council chair, who dismissed Trump’s ultimatum as theatrical—and warned loudly that “each new ultimatum is a threat… a step toward war” with the U.S., not just Ukraine as reported by HuffPost Spain.
“Each ultimatum is a threat—one step closer to war with your own country,” Medvedev tweeted.
Just hours after Trump’s message, Russia launched deadly missile and drone strikes across Ukraine, killing at least 27 civilians, including prison and maternity hospital attacks. Ukrainian officials decried the timing—blaming Moscow for sabotaging any hope of peace according to AP News and The Washington Post reported on the civilian toll.
President Zelenskyy praised Trump’s resolve and urged Western leaders to enforce stricter sanctions. Meanwhile, Russian officials continued criticizing ultimatums as counterproductive, arguing they only embolden Kyiv to intensify the conflict per Reuters analysis.
Analysts warn that Trump’s move—even if attention-grabbing—is unlikely to shift Kremlin strategy. Russia has repeatedly rejected deadlines as coercive, with Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stating that “demands, especially ultimatums, are unacceptable to us” and are unlikely to deter continued operations CBS News documented.
Instead, Kremlin-aligned outlets framed Trump’s approach as overzealous and misguided—some labeling it a gesture destined to “fail spectacularly” and inflame tensions without leverage as the Economic Times analyzed.
As both sides dig in, peace talks continue in Istanbul, though expectations remain low. Kremlin officials have repeatedly said any negotiations hinge on Ukraine conceding territory and abandoning NATO aspirations, while Western leaders remain skeptical about Putin’s sincerity per Reuters coverage and The New York Post captured the limited progress as reported earlier.
Trump’s ultimatum reflects his broader pivot toward tougher diplomacy—moving from diplomacy to real economic pressure. Supporters welcomed the shift, arguing Putin only respects strength. Critics caution that without a clear follow-through and international coordination, the strategy risks alienating allies and destabilizing markets as Time Magazine reported on aftermath.
In Moscow, uncertainty reigns. Trump’s deadline laid bare the diplomatic disconnect: while Washington invokes economic consequences, the Kremlin continues military strikes—with the ultimatum met not with compliance, but cold resistance.
