President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev after the former Russian president accused the U.S. of edging closer to war with Moscow.
Medvedev, in remarks earlier this week, claimed that Trump’s newly imposed deadline for Russia to act on ending the war in Ukraine could push the U.S. and Russia closer to direct conflict.
“Each new ultimatum is a threat and a step toward war. Not with Ukraine, but with the United States itself,” Medvedev said. “Don’t follow the same path as Sleepy Joe!”
Trump responded Friday in a broader statement that also addressed trade between Russia and India, saying, “Russia and the USA do almost no business together. Let’s keep it that way. And as for Medvedev — the failed former president who still pretends he’s in charge — he better watch his words. He’s entering very dangerous territory!”
Earlier in the week, Trump gave Russia a 10-to-12 day window to begin de-escalating the war in Ukraine or face “serious consequences,” including new sanctions on the Russian government and third-party countries that purchase Russian exports.
“There’s no reason to wait,” Trump said during remarks in Scotland. “If you know what the answer is going to be, why wait? It would be sanctions and maybe secondary tariffs.”
Trump said he was “disappointed” with Russian President Vladimir Putin, but clarified that his actions were not anti-Russian. “I don’t want to do that to Russia. I love the Russian people,” he said.
The Ukrainian government welcomed Trump’s firm stance. Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to President Volodymyr Zelensky, praised the U.S. leader for “delivering a clear message of peace through strength.”
Medvedev, however, doubled down. In response to calls from Sen. Lindsey Graham for Russia to come to the negotiating table, he wrote, “It’s not for you or Trump to tell us when to negotiate. Talks will only happen when our military goals are fulfilled. Work on America first, gramps!”
Reuters reported that Ukraine has proposed a summit between Putin and Zelensky before the end of August. The Kremlin, however, dismissed the timeline as unrealistic and said any such meeting would only be possible once meaningful progress toward peace had already been made.
