Trump Issues Two-Week Ultimatum to Putin on Ukraine Conflict

Trump's comments reflect rising frustration as U.S.-Russia negotiations struggle to yield results.

Former President Donald Trump has publicly issued a two-week ultimatum to Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. During a news briefing in the Oval Office, he suggested that results will determine if he believes Putin is genuinely interested in resolving the war or merely delaying discussions. Trump's comments follow a significant escalation in Russia's military operations against Ukraine, which have resulted in numerous casualties, including a recent strike in Kyiv that left at least 13 dead.

Trump, expressing frustration at the White House's diplomatic efforts, stated, “Within two weeks, we’re going to find out whether or not (Putin is) tapping us along,” indicating that a different response could be forthcoming if he feels misled. This latest statement comes during a time when Trump has intensified his criticism of Putin, labeling him as "absolutely crazy" for the recent increase in attacks.

The Russian bombardments have reportedly been among the deadliest since the onset of the conflict, which has now persisted for four years. Trump recently had a two-hour phone call with Putin, following which he described the dialogue as positive, although no tangible progress has been observed since.

Despite Trump's ongoing remarks, including his claims that significant "bad things" would have transpired for Russia had it not been for his earlier involvement, the Kremlin seems undeterred. Trump's past threats have not influenced Moscow's actions, as he has yet to enforce significant consequences. The Biden administration maintains that all sanctions against Russia remain in place, but critics argue that the approach has allowed Russia to feel emboldened.

In response to Trump’s comments, a Kremlin aide indicated that the former president may not fully grasp the conflict, referencing the "frequent massive terrorist attacks" by Ukraine on Russian territory as part of the broader context. Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz assured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of Berlin’s commitment to assisting Kyiv with long-range missile production.

As diplomatic discussions stagnate, the demands from both Russia and the U.S. have become more complex. Russia has raised its asking prices, now insisting on concessions that Ukraine would likely deem unacceptable, including the recognition of Crimea as Russian territory. Observers like former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul suggest that Russia's evolving stance is designed to cast Ukraine in a negative light regarding peace negotiations.

The ongoing war remains devastating, with tens of thousands dead and significant infrastructure devastated, as Russia continues to control approximately 20% of Ukrainian land, notably Crimea, seized in 2014. President Zelensky has echoed concerns about Moscow's tactics, accusing them of stalling crucial peace talks while the promised memorandum of understanding remains absent from the table.