Trump Shortens Ceasefire Deadline, Calls on Putin to Stop Ukraine War Within 12 Days
Trump signaled that he would make the official announcement of the new deadline at some point early this week but remained resolute on applying strict sanctions
Following his conversation with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Trump once again condemned Putin's ongoing military actions in Ukraine. Photo Courtesy.
By Juliet Jerotich
Donald Trump issued a new, tighter ultimatum to Russia to enroll in a ceasefire in Ukraine, demanding an end to hostilities within “10 or 12 days” from Monday.
Speaking at a press conference in Scotland, the US president claimed there was no justification for further procrastination, citing that the peace negotiations had made no substantial progress. Trump just two weeks ago told Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war within 50 days or face severe economic consequences.
Trump signaled that he would make the official announcement of the new deadline at some point early this week but remained resolute on applying strict sanctions and secondary tariffs on Russia in case it fails to comply. Earlier, at the start of July, he also threatened to impose a potential 100% duty on any nation that continues to trade with Moscow, a move aimed at rendering Russian goods prohibitively expensive and lower foreign revenues for trade from the Kremlin.
Following his conversation with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Trump once again condemned Putin’s ongoing military actions in Ukraine, over three years since Russia’s large-scale occupation began.
While refraining from calling Putin a liar, Trump expressed dismay at the disturbing mismatch between their private discussions and the nightly rocket attacks against Ukrainian cities.
“We had a chance of reaching a ceasefire and possibly even peace… but instead, missiles keep falling in Kyiv and elsewhere,” Trump said. “This stage, I say forget it. I’m talking enough. Too many times this has happened, and I’ve had my fill.”
Despite his tough stance, Trump continued to claim that he and Putin got along personally. Nevertheless, his statement that he was “no longer interested in talks” was broadcast far and wide across Russian media.
The Kremlin has yet to officially respond to the shortened deadline. When Trump initially set the 50-day timeline, spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the threat as “very serious” but also said that Russia needed time to weigh its repercussions.
In response to Monday’s statement, Russian MP Andrey Gurulyov dismissed Trump’s threats, saying that they “no longer have any significance… neither on the battlefield nor in Moscow,” and that Russia’s strength lies in its “weapons, principles, and will.”
Meanwhile, Ukrainian presidential chief of staff Andriy Yermak welcomed Trump’s tougher stance, saying that it gave a “clear message of peace through strength,” and that Putin “only respects power.”.
Despite three previous rounds of ceasefire negotiations under Turkish auspices held by the Turkish forces, minimal tangible steps have been taken towards a war conclusion. Russia continues to step up its attack with drones and missiles and advance its eastern offensive.
With Russia’s peace terms—Ukrainian neutrality, troop reductions, and abandoning NATO ambitions—still unacceptable to Kyiv and Western allies, commentators quote that a ceasefire in 12 days is extremely unlikely.
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