US President Donald Trump said Monday, July 28 that he intends to shorten the 50-day deadline he gave Russian President Vladimir Putin to reach a deal to end the three-year war in Ukraine, after Russia continued to bombard Ukrainian cities. Russia fired an overnight barrage of more than 300 drones, four cruise missiles and three ballistic missiles, the Ukrainian air force said.
Trump said two weeks ago he would implement “severe tariffs” on Russia unless a peace deal is reached by early September, as he expressed exasperation with Putin over the bombardment of Ukrainian cities amid the Republican president’s attempts to stop the fighting.
Trump said he would now give Putin 10 to 12 days from Monday, meaning he wants peace efforts to make progress by August 7-9. The plan includes possible sanctions and secondary tariffs targeting Russia’s trading partners. The formal announcement would come later Monday or on Tuesday, he said.
“No reason in waiting,” Trump said of the shorter timeline. “We just don’t see any progress being made.” Putin has “got to make a deal. Too many people are dying,” Trump said during a visit to Scotland. There was no immediate response from Russia.
Trump repeated his criticism of Putin for talking about ending the war but continuing to bombard Ukrainian civilians. “And I say, that’s not the way to do it,” Trump said. He added, “I’m disappointed in President Putin.” Asked at a news conference about a potential meeting with the Russian leader, Trump said: “I’m not so interested in talking anymore.”
Still, he voiced some reluctance about imposing penalties on the Kremlin, saying that he loves the Russian people. “I don’t want to do that to Russia,” he said, but he noted how many Russians, along with Ukrainians, are dying in the war.
Ukraine has urged Western countries to take a tougher line with Putin. Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraine’s presidential office, thanked Trump for shortening the deadline. “Putin understands only strength – and that has been conveyed clearly and loudly,” Yermak said on Telegram, adding that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shared the sentiment.
