Trump Warns Putin: End Ukraine War in 12 Days or Face Consequences
Edinburgh (The Uttam Hindu): US President Donald Trump has significantly shortened his deadline for Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop the ongoing war in Ukraine. Changing the earlier 50-day deadline, Trump has now given Putin only 10 to 12 days to take concrete steps towards peace. In a statement given on Monday during his Scotland visit, Trump made it clear that he wants to see decisive progress by August 7 to 9.
President Trump said in his statement, "There is no point in waiting. We are not seeing any progress." He gave a direct message to Putin, saying that "he has to make a deal, because too many people are dying." Trump expressed disappointment that Putin on one hand talks about ending the war, but on the other hand continues to bomb Ukrainian civilians. He said, "This is no way. I am disappointed with Putin."
When Trump was asked about the possibility of a future meeting with Putin, he said plainly, "I am not interested in talking now." However, he also added that he loves the Russian people and does not want to be unnecessarily tough on Russia, but the deaths in the war compel him to take tough action. Trump indicated that he plans to soon impose heavy tariffs on Russia and secondary tariffs on its trading allies, which could be formally announced on Monday or Tuesday.
Ukraine has welcomed this tough stance of America. The head of the Ukrainian President's Office, Andriy Yermak, wrote on Telegram, "Putin understands only the language of power, and this has been said clearly and strongly." President Volodymyr Zelensky has also supported Trump's move.
Meanwhile, Russia has intensified its attacks on Ukraine. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia attacked with more than 300 drones, 4 cruise missiles and 3 ballistic missiles overnight. 8 people were injured in a drone attack on a 25-storey residential building in the Darnitsky district of the capital Kiev, including a four-year-old girl. At the same time, the Russian Defense Ministry has claimed that it has targeted an airport and an arms depot in Ukraine, where drone-making material was stored.
At present, there has been no response from Russia on Trump's new deadline. Trump's ultimatum has brought a new twist to this conflict, but it remains to be seen whether this step will open the way to peace.