**US President Trump Sets Deadline for Putin, Threatens Different Response**
In a tense standoff between the US and Russia over Ukraine, President Donald Trump has given Vladimir Putin a two-week deadline to take action. The threat comes as Russia’s attacks on Ukraine have intensified, killing at least 13 people and injuring dozens more in Kyiv.
Trump made his comments during a press conference in the Oval Office on Wednesday, where he was asked if he believed Putin wanted to end the war. “I’ll let you know in about two weeks,” Trump replied, hinting that he would reassess the situation then. The US President also warned that if Putin continued to string him along, Washington’s response would be different.
This is not the first time Trump has spoken out against Putin’s actions in Ukraine. Since Sunday, he has made multiple public statements on social media, calling Putin “absolutely crazy” and saying he was “playing with fire”. The criticism comes as Russia’s attacks have been some of the largest and deadliest since the start of the war four years ago.
**Escalating Violence in Ukraine**
The situation on the ground remains dire. Russian strikes in Kyiv killed at least 13 people, including children, over the weekend. Despite the US administration’s efforts to negotiate a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, the attacks show no signs of slowing down.
Trump’s comments reflect growing frustration within the White House, where repeated attempts to mediate a deal have failed. The recent phone call between Trump and Putin was seen as a positive development, but it has yet to yield any concrete results. In fact, Putin walked away from the conversation saying he was ready to work on a “memorandum on a possible future peace agreement”, which Russia has yet to produce.
**Previous Threats Unfulfilled**
This is not the first time Trump has threatened a different response if Putin did not take action. Previous threats have been met with skepticism, and it remains to be seen whether this deadline will be any more successful. The US administration’s approach to mediating a peace deal has been criticized for being too soft on Russia.
Meanwhile, Germany’s new chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has announced plans to help Ukraine produce long-range missiles to defend itself against Russian attacks. This move is likely to anger Moscow, which has warned that any decision to lift restrictions on the missiles would be a “dangerous change in policy”.
**Commentary and Analysis**
The situation in Ukraine remains complex and contentious. The US President’s comments reflect frustration with Russia’s actions, but it remains unclear what specific action Washington will take.
Michael McFaul, a former US ambassador to Moscow, has described Russia’s demands as a “poison pill” designed to create conditions that Kyiv could never agree to. This strategy would shift blame onto Ukraine in Trump’s eyes, making it harder for the US President to deliver on his promises.
The war in Ukraine has claimed tens of thousands of lives and left large parts of the country in ruins. The situation remains uncertain, with no clear end in sight.
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