Trump Sets New 12-Day Deadline for Putin to End Ukraine War

Trump shortens deadline for Putin to end Ukraine war, threatens new sanctions, and criticizes lack of progress.

US President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he is setting a new, shorter deadline of “10 or 12 days” for Russian President Vladimir Putin to bring an end to the ongoing war in Ukraine. This move marks a significant shift from Trump’s earlier stance, in which he had given Putin 50 days to act, reflecting mounting frustration with the lack of visible progress in resolving the conflict.

Speaking to reporters during a meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at his luxury golf resort in Turnberry, Scotland, Trump openly expressed his disappointment with Putin’s inaction. “I’m disappointed in President Putin,” Trump said. “I’m going to make a new deadline of about 10 or 12 days from today. There’s no reason in waiting—we just don’t see any progress being made.” The former president’s remarks signal a sense of urgency and impatience with the continuing hostilities in Ukraine, which have dragged on for more than two years.

Before resuming office in January, Trump had made bold claims that he would be able to end the war within 24 hours. Despite the confidence with which he presented this pledge, he never offered specific details on how such a rapid resolution would be achieved. His critics have repeatedly pointed out the lack of a clear plan behind his promise.

The original 50-day deadline was announced earlier this month, reflecting Trump’s growing dissatisfaction with Putin’s continued military actions in Ukraine. In recent weeks, Trump has repeatedly condemned Russia’s offensive tactics and has warned of imposing new sanctions. These penalties, he noted, would target not only Russia itself but also nations that continue to purchase Russian exports, signaling a broader, more aggressive policy stance aimed at isolating Moscow economically unless it agrees to a peace deal.

Trump’s irritation has not been limited to Putin alone. He has also shown visible displeasure with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Tensions between the two leaders became public during a contentious meeting at the White House in February. The encounter, which unfolded in front of the media, saw Trump confront Zelenskyy directly—a moment that received praise from some Russian officials. Following the meeting, Trump stated that Zelenskyy was “not ready for peace,” further straining the already delicate diplomatic dynamics.

Although Trump continues to emphasize his tough approach to dealing with Russia, observers have noted that he has not always acted decisively on his own pronouncements. “We thought we had that settled numerous times,” Trump remarked. “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 or whatever. And I say that’s not the way to do it.” His comments underscored both his dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs and his desire to see immediate and concrete actions taken to end the violence.

In response to Trump’s latest remarks, Ukraine welcomed the renewed pressure on Russia. Andriy Yermak, a senior aide to President Zelenskyy, expressed gratitude, stating on social media, “Thanks to President Trump for standing firm and delivering a clear message of peace through strength.” He added, “When America leads with strength, others think twice.” Yermak’s comments reflect Ukraine’s hope that a stronger U.S. position could compel Russia to reconsider its military campaign.

Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, intensifying a conflict that initially began in 2014 when Moscow annexed Crimea. The war has since resulted in thousands of deaths, widespread destruction, and a humanitarian crisis that has displaced millions.

While some diplomatic efforts have continued, progress has been slow and uneven. Last week, Ukrainian and Russian delegations met in Istanbul and reached an agreement to conduct another prisoner exchange. However, despite this limited breakthrough, there has been no indication of a broader commitment toward achieving a lasting peace agreement. The war continues to take a heavy toll on both countries, with no clear end in sight.