Key Points and Summary – President Donald Trump has set a firm August 8 deadline for his ultimatum to Russia, demanding a ceasefire in Ukraine or face severe economic consequences.
-Acknowledging that Russia is unlikely to comply, Trump has already fired the first shot in his promised secondary sanctions campaign.
-In a fiery social media post, he announced a 25% tariff on India, plus an additional “penalty,” for its continued purchase of Russian energy and military equipment.
-The move puts a key U.S. partner in the crosshairs and dramatically raises the stakes as the new, shorter deadline approaches.
Russia Faces an August 8 Deadline on Ukraine
President Donald Trump, in early July, announced a 50-day deadline for Russia to agree to a ceasefire with Ukraine, or else face secondary tariffs on its energy partners, at the same time announcing that new weapons would be made available to Ukraine.
After Russia showed little indication of responding to the threat, Trump said last weekend that he was moving the deadline up to “10 or 12 days.”
On Wednesday, Trump clarified what, exactly, the deadline is.
Per Politico, the president has said that the deadline is now August 8, which is 10 days away.
“And then we’re going to put on tariffs,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One, while flying back from Scotland.
“And I don’t know if it’s going to affect Russia, because he wants to, obviously, probably keep the war going.”
The president added that he has not heard directly from Russia about the tariff threat.
Not on Day One
Known throughout his first term for being unusually close to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump has been critical of Putin since returning to office, mostly after Trump’s oft-repeated campaign promise to end the Russia-Ukraine war on his first day back in the White House did not come to pass.
Many had speculated that the war would end on terms favorable to Russia, especially after Trump and Vice President JD Vance dressed down Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office and told him publicly that the war could not be won.
Putin, however, appears committed to achieving gains in the war beyond what Trump is willing to offer.
Both Russia and Ukraine replied to the announcement, per ABC News.
“Clear stance and expressed determination by POTUS — right on time, when a lot can change through strength for real peace,” Ukraine’s president Zelenskyy said on X. “I thank President Trump for his focus on saving lives and stopping this horrible war… Ukraine remains committed to peace and will work tirelessly with the U.S. to make both our countries safer, stronger, and more prosperous.”
The Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov responded as well. The Kremlin, he said, “took note of President Trump’s statement yesterday,” but he “would like to avoid any assessments.”
The India Penalty
Meanwhile, Trump, per The BBC, has announced 25 percent tariffs on India, in addition to a “penalty” for India for continuing to trade with Russia. That appears to be the first salvo in the “secondary tariffs” threat, as India purchases energy from Russia.
The threat came despite Trump being mostly simpatico with India’s President Narendra Modi over the years.
“Remember, while India is our friend, we have, over the years, done relatively little business with them because their Tariffs are far too high, among the highest in the World, and they have the most strenuous and obnoxious non-monetary Trade Barriers of any Country,” Trump wrote on Truth Social Tuesday.
The president continued, switching to all caps once he started talking about Russia and Ukraine.
“Also, they have always bought a vast majority of their military equipment from Russia, and are Russia’s largest buyer of ENERGY, along with China, at a time when everyone wants Russia to STOP THE KILLING IN UKRAINE — ALL THINGS NOT GOOD! INDIA WILL THEREFORE BE PAYING A TARIFF OF 25%, PLUS A PENALTY FOR THE ABOVE, STARTING ON AUGUST FIRST. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. MAGA!”
“WE HAVE A MASSIVE TRADE DEFICIT WITH INDIA!!!” Trump declared in a later Truth Social post.
India, per the BBC, did not respond immediately to Trump’s tariff announcement.
“We continue to speak with our Indian counterparts. We’ve always had very constructive discussions with them,” US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said this week, per The BBC.
About the Author: Stephen Silver
Stephen Silver is an award-winning journalist, essayist, and film critic, and contributor to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Broad Street Review, and Splice Today. The co-founder of the Philadelphia Film Critics Circle, Stephen lives in suburban Philadelphia with his wife and two sons. For over a decade, Stephen has authored thousands of articles that focus on politics, national security, technology, and the economy. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @StephenSilver, and subscribe to his Substack newsletter.
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