Russian Official Warns Trump Over Deadline For Russia To Act On Ukraine: 'A Step Toward War' With The U.S.

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev warned Donald Trump over his reduced deadline for the country to take steps towards ending the war in Ukraine, saying he is risking war with the U.S.

In a social media publication, Medvedev said that while Trump is playing the "ultimatum game" with Russia, he should "remember 2 things."

"1. Russia isn't Israel or even Iran. 2. Each new ultimatum is a threat and a step towards war. Not between Russia and Ukraine, but with his own country. Don't go down the Sleepy Joe road!" Medvedev added, a reference to the derogatory term used by Trump to refer to his predecessor, Joe Biden, who also adopted a confrontational stance towards Moscow.

Earlier on Monday, Trump set a deadline of "10 or 12 days" for Russia to take steps towards ending the war in Ukraine or risk consequences, including sanctions on the country and buyers of its exports. "There's no reason in waiting... We just don't see any progress being made," Trump said in Scotland, where he is meeting European leaders.

"There's no reason to wait. If you know what the answer is going to be, why wait? And it would be sanctions and maybe tariffs, secondary tariffs," Trump added after saying he was "disappointed" with Russian President Vladimir Putin. "I don't want to do that to Russia. I love the Russian people."

Ukraine, in turn, welcomed the statement, with Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to President Volodymyr Zelensky, thanking Trump for "standing firm and delivering a clear message of peace through strength."

Reuters noted that Ukraine proposed a summit between Putin and Zelenskiy before the end of August, but the Kremlin said the timeline was unlikely and that such a meeting would only take place as a final step toward peace.