Trump Softens Tone Toward Russia After Issuing 50-Day Ceasefire Ultimatum

President Donald Trump on Monday announced new U.S. military aid to Ukraine — including Patriot missile systems funded by NATO allies — and warned of sweeping tariffs on Russia’s trade partners if a ceasefire isn’t reached within 50 days. But by Tuesday, his tone shifted, ruling out long-range missile transfers and urging Ukraine not to strike Moscow.

Why it matters

Trump’s 50-day ultimatum marks his most aggressive threat toward Russia since returning to office, yet his follow-up remarks suggest a balancing act between escalating the war and pressuring Moscow into a negotiated peace.

What he said

On Monday, Trump declared:

• “At the end of 50 days, if we don’t have a deal, it’s going to be too bad.”
• “The tariffs are going to go on and other sanctions.”

The military package includes U.S. Patriot defense systems, though funded by European NATO countries, as part of a broader effort to contain Russian advances without directly escalating the war.

But on Tuesday, Trump told reporters:

• “No, he shouldn’t target Moscow,” when asked whether Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky should attack deeper into Russia.
• “No, we’re not looking to do that,” in response to a question about providing long-range missiles.

Trump: At the end of 50 days, if we don’t have a deal, it’s going to be too bad. The tariffs are going to go on and other sanctions. 

Reporter: Should Zelenskyy target Moscow?

Trump: He shouldn’t target Moscow. pic.twitter.com/6ayzbxvASP

— Acyn (@Acyn) July 15, 2025

The big picture

Trump defended the timeline, pushing back against critics who said it gives Russia too much leeway. “I don’t think 50 days is very long. And it could be sooner than that,” he said.

What they’re saying

Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, now deputy chair of the Security Council, dismissed Trump’s threat as a “theatrical ultimatum to the Kremlin” and said “Russia didn’t care,” in a post on X (formerly Twitter), according to Medvedev’s official account.

Konstantin Kosachev, deputy speaker of Russia’s Federation Council, also mocked the warning, saying it was unlikely to alter Moscow’s military or diplomatic calculus.

Between the lines

Trump’s rhetoric underscores the challenge of maintaining support for Ukraine without provoking further escalation — especially as political divides grow within NATO over the war’s endgame.

What to watch

If no ceasefire deal is reached within the 50-day window, the White House says it will impose punitive tariffs on countries still engaged in trade with Russia — though specifics have yet to be announced.