U.S. President Donald Trump has sharply reduced the 50-day deadline he previously set for the Kremlin to reach a peace agreement in its ongoing war against Ukraine.
Speaking alongside British Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a visit to Scotland, Trump said the new deadline for Russian President Vladimir Putin is now “10 or 12 days” from today, citing continued missile strikes against Ukrainian cities and the absence of any progress toward a ceasefire.
“I’m disappointed in President Putin,” Trump told reporters ahead of bilateral talks with Starmer. “I’m going to reduce that 50 days that I gave him to a lesser number because I think I already know the answer to what’s going to happen.”
When pressed for clarification, he confirmed the new timeline: “10 or 12 days.”
The original ultimatum, issued earlier this month, gave Moscow until early September to reach a negotiated settlement. Trump had previously indicated that failure to meet that deadline could trigger new U.S. sanctions on Russian exports, including tariffs of up to 100%. With the revised timeframe, the Kremlin now faces a significantly shorter window—expiring in early to mid-August.
Trump made the remarks during a joint appearance with Starmer in Turnberry, where he also held discussions with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The U.S. president, who has frequently claimed he could end the war “within 24 hours,” has not yet presented a formal peace proposal or direct mediation plan involving the Ukrainian government.
During his remarks, Trump criticised ongoing Russian attacks on civilian targets. “We thought we had that settled numerous times,” he 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.”
Prime Minister Starmer has reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s commitment to supporting Ukraine. While welcoming U.S. engagement, he emphasised the need for clear, unified Western messaging and a consistent strategy regarding Russia.
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