US President Donald Trump has warned Russia that the United States will begin enforcing economic penalties within ten days if Moscow fails to show any intention of ending its military actions in Ukraine.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump made it clear that he had not received any communication from Russian officials and saw no reason to delay action. He stated, “There’s no reason to wait. If you know what the answer is going to be, why wait? And it would be sanctions and maybe tariffs, secondary tariffs.”
Deadline Shortened Due to Lack of Progress
Initially, Trump had given the Kremlin a 50-day deadline to make peace efforts. However, during a joint meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday, he announced that he was moving up the deadline due to lack of meaningful progress. He told reporters, “I’m going to make a new deadline of about… 10 or 12 days from today. We just don’t see any progress being made.”
No Further Talks with Putin Planned
President Trump also made it clear that he does not intend to hold another conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Instead, he plans to move forward with economic pressure through sanctions and possibly secondary tariffs if Russia fails to act.
Oil Market Concerns Dismissed
While some observers raised concerns about potential oil market disruptions, Trump dismissed them. He expressed confidence that increased oil production at home would help the US manage any potential fallout.
Zelenskyy Responds Positively
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded with approval. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he called Trump’s remarks “particularly significant.” Zelenskyy added, “A clear stance and expressed determination by @POTUS – right on time, when a lot can change through strength for real peace… I thank President Trump for his focus on saving lives and stopping this horrible war.”
Talks Between Ukraine and Russia Unlikely for Now
Kyiv had earlier proposed a possible meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin by the end of August. However, the Kremlin rejected the offer, insisting that such a summit could only happen after clear peace terms are established.
Meanwhile, Russia’s foreign ministry reiterated its stance, claiming that if Western nations truly wanted peace, they would stop supplying weapons to Ukraine.
Trump Highlights His Past Peace Efforts
Trump also took the opportunity to highlight his track record in mediating conflicts, noting his role in easing tensions between India and Pakistan, as well as Rwanda and Congo. He reaffirmed his commitment to promoting peace globally, although he admitted that progress in Gaza remains slow.
Some international leaders have reportedly nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, citing his global diplomacy efforts.
