Russian President Vladimir Putin has remained publicly silent after President Donald Trump issued a 50-day ultimatum to end the war in Ukraine—or face crushing tariffs. But on Tuesday, one top Kremlin official made clear how Moscow views the warning.
Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chair of Russia’s Security Council and former Russian president, posted a mocking response to the announcement on X. “Trump issued a theatrical ultimatum to the Kremlin. The world shuddered, expecting the consequences,” he wrote. “Belligerent Europe was disappointed. Russia didn’t care.”
Medvedev’s comments were the Kremlin’s first reaction to Trump’s joint announcement with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. The ultimatum included a pledge to impose 100% tariffs if Russia does not halt its war within 50 days.
Reaction from European officials was mixed. While Rutte backed the move as “logical,” others questioned the timeline. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said, “On the one hand, it is very positive that President Trump is taking a strong stance on Russia. On the other hand, 50 days is a very long time if we see that they are killing innocent civilians, also every day.”
Kallas stressed the urgency: “It is clear that we all need to put more pressure on Russia so that they would also want peace. It is good that the Americans are making the steps, and I hope that they are also giving military aid like Europeans are giving.”
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko echoed that sentiment. Speaking to German broadcaster ARD, he expressed appreciation for American support but questioned the delay. “I do not understand why Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin is being given 50 days,” he said, as reported by Ukrainian media.
“In 50 days, many more people could be killed in the capital and, throughout Ukraine, many more buildings could be damaged,” Klitschko warned. “Therefore, why such a delay?”
President Trump defended the move during remarks to reporters on Monday, revealing his growing frustration with Putin. “I speak to him a lot about getting this thing done, and I always hang up saying, ‘Well, that was a nice phone call,’ and then missiles are launched into Kyiv or some other city,” Trump said.
“And after that happens three or four times, you say, the talk doesn’t mean anything,” he added, signaling that time for diplomacy may be running out.