U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters in Scotland after issuing a 10-day ultimatum to Russia to end the war in Ukraine, warning of new sanctions if no peace deal is reached. Image: CBC News.
Speaking during a visit to Scotland on Monday, where he met with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Trump said he was “disappointed” in Russian President Vladimir Putin and warned that the clock is ticking. The U.S. president cut short an earlier 50-day deadline to just “10 or 12 days,” saying he sees no point in dragging it out any longer. “There’s no reason in waiting,” Trump told reporters. “We just don’t see any progress being made.”
This latest move ramps up pressure on Moscow, as Trump signalled that secondary sanctions could be next, meaning penalties not just on Russia, but on any country or company that continues doing business with it. While Trump didn’t spell out exactly what those measures would include, he mentioned tariffs and hinted at targeting Russia’s trade partners.
The Russian government hasn’t commented on the remarks. But former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, now a senior Kremlin figure, didn’t hold back. In a post on X, Medvedev accused Trump of playing “the ultimatum game,” warning that such threats could pull the U.S. directly into the conflict. “Each new ultimatum is a threat and a step towards war. Not between Russia and Ukraine, but with [Trump’s] own country,” Medvedev wrote.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed Trump’s strong message, calling it timely and necessary. “Right on time, when a lot can change through strength for real peace,” Zelenskyy said. “I thank President Trump for his focus on saving lives and stopping this horrible war.” Zelenskyy also backed the idea of stricter sanctions, saying in his nightly address that they remain a “key element” in stopping Russian aggression.
Trump has repeatedly said he wants to bring the war to an end, and claimed earlier this year that he could resolve the nearly four-year-old conflict “within 24 hours” if re-elected. But so far, despite tough talk, his administration has hesitated to take direct action against Putin, often citing the previously “good relationship” between the two leaders. “We thought we had that settled numerous times,” Trump said. “Then President Putin goes out and starts launching rockets into some city like Kyiv and kills a lot of people in a nursing home or whatever. And I say that’s not the way to do it.”
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