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President Donald Trump said on Monday he will reduce his previously announced 50-day ceasefire ultimatum to Russia, citing disappointment with President Vladimir Putin over continued strikes against Ukraine.
Speaking to reporters at his Turnberry golf resort during a visit with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his wife, Victoria, Trump expressed frustration with Russia’s recent attacks, including a deadly strike in Kyiv.
“I’ve spoken to President Putin a lot. I always got along with him very well. But five times and every time … four times maybe … but we’ve had discussions,” Trump said.
“You and I have had discussions we thought we had that settled numerous times. And then President Putin goes out and starts launching rockets into some city like Kyiv, and kills a lot of people in a nursing home or whatever. You have bodies lying all over the street. And I say, that’s not the way to do it,” he continued.
Trump said the ongoing violence has altered his expectations for Russia’s response.
“I’m very disappointed. I’m disappointed in President Putin, very disappointed in him,” Trump added. “So we’re going to have to look and I’m going to reduce that 50 days that I gave him to a lesser number, because I think I already know the answer.”
The 50-day ceasefire window, first announced earlier this month, was aimed at pressuring Moscow to halt its military campaign in Ukraine or face additional consequences. Trump did not specify the new shortened timeframe or the potential impacts that might follow if Russia fails to comply.
Russian government spokesperson Dmitry Peskov responded Monday by saying there are no current plans for a meeting between Putin and Trump in Turkey, according to the state-run news agency Tass.
His comments followed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s announcement on Friday that he might reach out to both Trump and Putin to explore the possibility of holding peace talks in Istanbul. Ukrainian and Russian delegations had previously held lower-level negotiations there.
While Trump has repeatedly emphasized his personal rapport with Putin, Monday’s remarks reflected a sharp shift in tone as the conflict in Ukraine continues to escalate.
