Russia Rejects Trump’s Ceasefire Deadline, Dismissing Renewed Diplomatic Offramp
Kremlin labels 50-day proposal “unacceptable” as Trump threatens sweeping sanctions and ramps NATO support
On Tuesday, Russia officially rejected President Donald Trump’s 50-day ceasefire proposal to end the war in Ukraine, calling the plan an unacceptable ultimatum and reaffirming its commitment to continuing the conflict unless its objectives are fully met, according to a report by CBS News.
Kremlin Declares U.S. Demands “Unacceptable”
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov criticized the ceasefire deadline as a coercive measure, stating that any attempts to force Moscow into agreement were not conducive to diplomacy. “Any attempts to make demands, especially ultimatums, are unacceptable to us,” Ryabkov said via state-run outlet TASS. He reiterated that while Russia prefers a political solution, it will continue what it calls the “Special Military Operation” until its goals are achieved.
“The President of the Russian Federation has repeatedly said that we are ready to negotiate,” Ryabkov added, “but if we cannot achieve our goals through diplomacy, then the SVO will continue. This is an unshakable position.”
Russia Dismisses Escalating Pressure from Washington
President Trump, now serving his second term, issued the 50-day ceasefire demand Monday during a press event with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. He warned that if Russia fails to comply, the U.S. will impose 100 percent secondary tariffs on nations that continue business with Moscow.
Despite the renewed pressure, Russian leaders offered no indication they are reconsidering their position. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Trump’s announcement included remarks directed at President Vladimir Putin personally, but stressed the Kremlin needed time to assess the statement. “If and when President Putin deems it necessary, he will definitely comment,” Peskov said, cautioning against premature conclusions.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, a close Putin ally, was more dismissive, referring to Trump’s proposal as “a theatrical ultimatum” and declaring on social media that “Russia didn’t care.”
Trump Pivots to NATO and Defense Production Strategy
Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump also revealed a new plan to manufacture weapons in the U.S. for sale to NATO allies, who would then supply them to Ukraine. “We’re not buying it, but we will manufacture it, and they’re going to be paying for it,” Trump said.
Rutte welcomed the move as both strategic and equitable. “This is really big,” he said. “You want Ukraine to have what it needs to defend itself against Russia, but you want Europeans to pay for it, which is totally logical.”
Trump Calls Putin’s Promises Hollow
Trump also leveled unusually sharp criticism at Putin, calling him “absolutely crazy” for continuing attacks on civilian areas. He described a repeated pattern of deceit in conversations with the Russian president. “I always hang up, say, ‘Well, that was a nice phone call.’ And then missiles are launched into Kyiv or some other city and I say, ‘That’s strange,’” Trump said. “After that happens three or four times, you say, the talk doesn’t mean anything.”
In an interview with BBC News, the President was asked whether he still believed Putin could be reasoned with. “I’m disappointed in him, but I’m not done with him,” Trump replied. “But I’m disappointed in him.”
Ukraine Backs U.S. Offer, Stresses Continued Partnership
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that he spoke directly with Trump on Monday and welcomed the support. In a social media post, Zelenskyy thanked the U.S. President “for the willingness to support Ukraine and to continue working together to stop the killings and establish a lasting and just peace.”
Zelenskyy highlighted their relationship and NATO unity. “It’s important that we have such a good relationship, and that the Alliance countries are working to increase defense spending,” he said. “We agreed to catch up more often by phone and coordinate our steps in the future as well.”
Russia Continues to Reject Pathways to Peace
Russia’s rejection of Trump’s latest proposal marks another breakdown in attempts to find a diplomatic offramp. Despite multiple U.S. efforts over the past year to propose terms for a negotiated end to the war, Moscow remains entrenched in its demand that some occupied Ukrainian territories be recognized as Russian.
Since launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Russia has seized parts of eastern Ukraine and maintained control over Crimea, annexed in 2014. The United States, United Nations, and most of the international community continue to reject the legitimacy of Russian control over these regions.
Putin’s insistence that any ceasefire require territorial recognition has proven to be a consistent obstacle in peace talks. For now, despite escalating economic threats and increasingly limited international support, Moscow appears unmoved.