Russia’s former president, Dmitry Medvedev, has warned that U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent announcement of a deadline for Russia to end its conflict with Ukraine is a step towards war, according to a statement released on X. Medvedev, currently serving as the deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, criticized Trump’s approach as an ultimatum game that could lead to heightened tensions with the United States rather than between Russia and Ukraine. He emphasized that Russia is not a nation like Israel or Iran, and that each new ultimatum represents a threat, not necessarily aimed at Ukraine but rather at the U.S. himself. Medvedev also warned Trump not to follow the ‘Sleepy Joe road,’ presumably a reference to President Joe Biden.
Trump’s decision to shorten the deadline from the previously proposed 50 days to just 10-12 days was driven by his frustration with stalled negotiations and the lack of progress toward peace. During a recent visit to Scotland, Trump told reporters that waiting for 50 days was futile, and that the war has already been dragging on too long. He criticized Putin for providing ‘lip service’ during their discussions, claiming that the Russian leader has not taken meaningful steps to end the war. Trump’s comments were made just a day after Russia launched more than 300 drones, four cruise missiles, and three ballistic missiles into Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian air force.
Despite his public frustrations, Trump has historically maintained a cordial relationship with Putin. However, his recent rhetoric suggests a growing impatience with the Russian leader’s lack of action. Trump’s announcement also sparked a response from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who thanked Trump for his ‘clear stance and expressed determination’ to resolve the conflict. Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine’s commitment to peace and emphasized the importance of continued U.S. support. The comments come months after Zelenskyy faced criticism from Vice President JD Vance for not expressing enough gratitude for America’s support for Kyiv amid the war. The situation highlights the complex dynamics of international relations as the war in Ukraine continues to escalate tensions among global leaders.