In line with expectations, Russia and Ukraine reacted very differently to the new ultimatum of US President Donald Trump. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised Trump's approach and described it as an important step towards peace, ARD writes.
Russia is doing everything to prolong the war and harm Ukraine, Zelensky said in his video address. "We have repeatedly emphasized - and all partners know it - that sanctions are a key element." Peace through force is possible, as Russia will feel the sanctions and the losses resulting from them, the Ukrainian president also said.
The Kremlin remained silent after Trump's latest statement. However, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev warned of a possible war between Russia and the United States. Every ultimatum from Trump is a step towards war, Medvedev wrote on the X platform. "Not between Russia and Ukraine, but with his own country."
The deadline for punitive tariffs has been reduced
Yesterday, Trump announced that he wants to increase pressure on the Kremlin, which is why he will shorten to 10-12 days the deadline after which Russia's trading partners will be threatened with much higher tariffs. This also shortens the time for reaching a truce.
The new punitive tariffs of 100 percent are intended to force Russia's trading partners - primarily China and India - to either buy less Russian oil and gas, or in turn put pressure on Russia to find a peaceful solution to Ukraine, the German public media recalls.
Trump explained the change in his approach by saying that he was disappointed with Putin. Although talks were held with the Russian president to end the war, he continued to shell Ukrainian cities with missiles.
Moscow attacked again
Even after Trump's statement, Moscow did not stop its attacks on Ukraine: at night in Zaporizhia, Russian missiles hit a prison, killing 16 people and injuring at least 35.
Unlike Ukrainian President Zelensky, Putin rejects proposals for an unconditional ceasefire. He justifies this by saying that Ukraine could use the pause to recruit new forces and continue the war with new supplies of weapons from its allies, followed by mobilization of soldiers and regrouping of troops. At the same time, Russia continues to insist on its demands, which resemble Kiev's capitulation, ARD notes.