Trump insists that Putin needs to reach a ceasefire agreement regarding Ukraine within the next 10 to 12 days

Donald Trump has set a new, more immediate deadline for Russia to agree to a ceasefire in the ongoing war in Ukraine, stating it should happen within "ten or 12 days" from Monday. 

The US president emphasized that there's "no reason" to delay further, given the lack of progress toward peace. Just two weeks ago, he had given President Vladimir Putin a 50-day ultimatum to end the conflict, warning of severe tariffs if he failed to comply. During a press conference in Scotland, Trump indicated he would provide confirmation of this new deadline either on Monday or Tuesday, while reiterating the potential for sanctions and secondary tariffs against Russia. Earlier in July, he warned these could reach a staggering 100% tax on any country engaging in trade with Russia.

Such a move would likely drive up prices, prompting US businesses to seek more affordable alternatives elsewhere, which would result in financial losses for both Russia and its trading partners. Following a meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Scotland, Trump once again voiced his disapproval of Putin's actions in Ukraine, where the conflict continues to escalate nearly three and a half years after Russia's full-scale invasion. While he refrained from accusing Putin of dishonesty, Trump pointed out the stark difference between the Russian president's assurances during their discussions and the missiles consistently targeting Ukrainian cities.

"We were supposed to have a ceasefire and potentially peace... and suddenly, missiles are striking Kyiv and other areas," Trump lamented. He expressed that while he had been hopeful for negotiations, the time for that seemed to be slipping away. "I say, forget it. I'm not gonna talk anymore. This has happened too many times, and it's frustrating," he declared, though he maintained that he and Putin have always had a good rapport. Trump has stated he is "no longer interested in talks," a statement that quickly made headlines across major Russian media. Putin has yet to specify any timeframe regarding the situation. When the initial 50-day deadline was announced, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov referred to it as "very serious" but noted that Moscow needed time to analyze the proposal. On Monday afternoon, Russian MP Andrey Gurulyov commented on the developments, suggesting that Trump's ultimatums "didn't work anymore... not on the front line, not in Moscow," emphasizing that Russia possesses the strength of its "weapons, principles, and will."

Initially, when Trump proposed shortening the deadline, Ukrainian presidential chief of staff Andriy Yermak commended him for "delivering a clear message of peace through strength," asserting that Putin "respects only power." Recently, Russia has intensified its attacks on Ukraine, unleashing numerous drones and missiles on cities while continuing its summer offensive in the eastern region of the country. Despite three rounds of ceasefire talks mediated by Turkey, which resulted in the exchange of thousands of prisoners of war, no substantial progress towards a ceasefire has been made. After three and a half years of intense conflict, it remains uncertain how both sides could reach an agreement to end the fighting within just 12 days. Russia's preconditions for peace—including Ukraine becoming a neutral state, significantly reducing its military, and abandoning its NATO aspirations—are deemed unacceptable by Kyiv and its Western allies. During last week's brief talks, which lasted less than an hour, Peskov indicated that a "breakthrough" in negotiations was "hardly possible."