US President Donald Trump shortens Russian President Vladimir Putin’s deadline. Trump has given Russia a shortened timeframe of 10–12 days to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine or face tougher sanctions, as his frustration with the Russian leader grows, according to the Financial Times. 

Speaking Monday at his Turnberry golf resort in Scotland, Trump said he would move up the 50-day deadline he had previously set for Putin to avoid so-called “secondary sanctions.”

“He kills people”

“I’m going to reduce that 50 days that I gave him to a lesser number. There’s no reason in waiting,” he added in a joint appearance with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

He said he want to be generous, but just does not see any progress being made. He made clear he doesn’t believe Putin will meet the demands within the original 50-day window.

“I’m not so interested in talking [to Putin] any more. Every time I think it’s going to end, he kills people,” Trump added.

Although Trump spent the first months of his presidency blaming Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the war, his tone has recently shifted, especially after the US-Ukraine presidential meeting at the NATO summit just over a month ago.

Kyiv welcomes the US pressure

On Monday, Head of the Ukrainian President’s Office Andrii Yermak welcomed Trump’s decision to shorten the ceasefire deadline, thanking him for “standing firm and delivering a clear message of peace through strength”.