Trump’s Ultimatum To Russia Signals New Approach To War In Ukraine

While speaking to reporters in Scotland on Monday, President Donald Trump announced that he changed the deadline for Russia to agree to a peace deal with Ukraine. The deadline for Russia has now been reduced to “10 to 12 days”.

Trump initially set a 50-day deadline in June for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to reach an agreement. Since then, Russia has increased its missile and drone strikes on residential areas throughout Ukraine. The intensified Russian attacks have coincided with Trump’s decision to shorten the peace deadline.

“There’s no reason in waiting. We just don’t see any progress being made,” Trump told reporters. “We thought we had [the peace agreement] settled numerous times, and then President Putin goes out and starts launching rockets into some city like Kyiv and kills a lot of people in a nursing home,” he added. Trump then concluded that if a peace agreement is not reached, then the U.S. will consider “sanctions and maybe tariffs.”

This shortened ultimatum follows Trump’s agreement, made on July 14, to send defense aid to Ukraine. The new weapons package includes Patriot missiles. In addition, the U.S. Department of State announced a new aid package, in which the U.S. would send HAWK Phase III surface-to-air missile systems to Ukraine. These advanced air defense technologies are critical for Ukraine to counter Russia’s ongoing aerial attacks.

Additionally, the Trump administration announced a new defense cooperation initiative where NATO member states would purchase U.S. weapons. This would help replenish American stockpiles. The weapons purchased by NATO members would then be transferred through Europe to Ukraine, providing the necessary assistance to Ukrainian forces as they defend their country against Russia’s ongoing invasion.

“We are going to send some more weapons [to Ukraine]. We have to. [The Ukrainians] have to be able to defend themselves. They’re getting hit very hard,” Trump said to reporters.

The latest developments signal a new approach by the Trump administration in responding to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. During the 2024 U.S. presidential campaign, Trump vowed to end the war in Ukraine in “24 hours” if elected president. Additionally, he stated that he would compel Russian and Ukrainian officials to negotiate a ceasefire.

Following Trump’s re-election, the U.S. president appointed individuals, such as retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg and lawyer Steven Witkoff, to serve as his envoys to help end the war. Trump also threatened Russia with several ultimatums if a peace agreement was not reached.

But the negotiation process has been challenging. For nearly six months, senior officials from the Trump administration have mediated peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. The initial process began in February in Saudi Arabia, where senior U.S. officials met with their Russian counterparts. The Americans then met separately with the Ukrainians.

The peace process, however, has produced few results. From February to July, senior American officials have proposed ceasefire agreements between Russia and Ukraine. International monitors and media outlets, however, have documented Russian violations of ceasefire agreements. This includes attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, as well as bombardments during the Easter and Passover holidays.

Additionally, while Ukrainian officials have continuously met with their American counterparts, the Russian Federation has increased its strikes on civilian areas across Ukraine. Dozens of Ukrainians have been killed during the bombardments, and the Russian attacks have continued.

This has reportedly frustrated several American officials. As a result, Trump has opted to provide additional defense aid to Ukraine. The administration has also weighed new sanctions and tariffs on the Russian Federation.

The coming 10 to 12 days will be critical in determining whether Russia modifies its conduct and if meaningful progress toward peace can be achieved. Ukrainian officials, along with the international community, will closely monitor the U.S. response should Russia fail to meet the new ultimatum.