Medvedev Criticizes Trump Sharply Following Russia's Threat to Reach an Agreement with Ukraine

SadaNews - Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev sharply criticized U.S. President Donald Trump after the latter threatened to shorten the deadline given to Russia to reach a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine.

In a post on the "X" platform, Medvedev said: "Every new ultimatum is a threat and a step towards war. Not between Russia and Ukraine, but with his country (the U.S.)," warning that U.S. escalation could lead to a direct conflict with Moscow.

Medvedev added, in a harsh tone: "Russia is neither Israel nor even Iran," referring to the recent short-lived war between Tel Aviv and Tehran, which saw U.S. military intervention in support of Israel.

Medvedev currently serves as Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council and is considered a significant figure in Russian political circles, despite having previously held the presidency temporarily from 2008 to 2012.

Medvedev's statements came in response to Trump's escalating rhetoric towards Moscow, amid stalled efforts to end the war in Ukraine that has been ongoing for more than two years.

Earlier this month, Trump announced a 50-day ultimatum for Russia to ceasefire, threatening to impose harsh tariffs on its trading partners if it did not comply. He set September 2 as the deadline for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

However, during a meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday, Trump said he would "reduce the deadline from 50 days to only 10 or 12 days," indicating that "time is running out" and expressing "great disappointment with Putin" over the continued Russian bombing of civilian targets in Ukraine.

Trump added: "I thought the war would end, but every time I expect that, Putin kills more people... I am no longer interested in talking to him."