Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
Trumps deadline for Russia expires in just a couple of days – and there is no deal in sight.
Trumps deadline for Russia expires in just a couple of days – and there is no deal in sight.
What is happening?
Russian President Vladimir Putin is reportedly open to meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
However, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, any such meeting would require significant groundwork at the “expert level” before the leaders could come face to face.
U.S. Piles on pressure ahead of deadline
The United States has ramped up pressure on both Moscow and Kyiv to reach a ceasefire.
President Donald Trump has threatened to impose 100% tariffs on Russia if a deal isn’t reached by August 8, signaling Washington’s growing impatience with the stalemate.
Expert-level talks still missing
Despite Putin’s theoretical willingness to meet, Peskov confirmed that none of the preparatory work required has taken place.
The Kremlin insists that “appropriate distance” — both political and procedural — must be overcome first, delaying any high-level dialogue.
Little progress in peacetalks
Calls for a ceasefire have echoed since Trump’s return to the White House, but negotiations remain stuck.
Putin has previously said he supports a 30-day ceasefire “in principle,” yet continues to raise questions about enforcement along the sprawling frontline.
Putin’s conditions remain firm
Last week, Putin reiterated that his preconditions for peace remain unchanged from those he laid out last summer.
These terms have been rejected outright by Ukraine, creating a deadlock that has shown little sign of shifting.
Washington’s patience wears thin
With little movement toward de-escalation, U.S. officials are reportedly growing frustrated with the Kremlin’s resistance to peace efforts.
Both temporary truces and longer-term settlements have hit repeated roadblocks over the past year.
Medvedev’s nuclear posturing
Tensions spiked on Friday after inflammatory remarks by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.
In response, Trump ordered two U.S. nuclear submarines to be stationed in “appropriate regions,” underscoring the seriousness with which Washington viewed the rhetoric.
Military ripples
Medvedev, now Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council, warned the U.S. not to forget Russia’s Soviet-era nuclear capabilities.
Trump warns of “unintended consequences”
Taking to Truth Social, Trump condemned Medvedev’s comments, calling them “foolish and inflammatory.”
He warned that such words can lead to “unintended consequences,” while stressing that the U.S. is prepared — but not eager — to respond.
Ceasefire hope flickers
As both nuclear warnings and diplomatic overtures play out, the possibility of a ceasefire hangs in the balance.
While Putin’s guarded openness to talks offers a glimmer of hope, the lack of tangible progress — and increasing saber-rattling — leaves the region on edge.
