Dmitry Medvedev shrugged off U.S. President Donald Trump‘s latest moves on Ukraine, framing them as a disappointment for Europe and the American leader’s actions as “theatrical”.
“Trump issued a theatrical ultimatum to the Kremlin,” Medvedev, Russian President Vladimir Putin‘s deputy on the Security Council of Russia, posted to his social media.
“The world shuddered, expecting the consequences. Belligerent Europe was disappointed. Russia didn’t care.”
Medvedev, a top ally of Putin, is also a former president and prime minister of Russia.
Trump confirmed on Monday, July 14, that he would be sending more Patriot air defense missiles to Ukraine, as well as offensive weapons that would be paid for by Kyiv’s European allies.
He also threatened to hit Russia with 100 percent secondary sanctions if Putin did not end the war within 50 days, a move that could strike a painful economic blow to Russia. It means those still trading with Russia would face the tariff, forcing them to choose sides.
The American president unveiled the moves during a White House meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with Putin as Russia continues to pound Ukrainian cities with drones and missiles, and continues with troop advances in the east, while the White House is attempting to broker peace.
He had for months resisted pressure from Kyiv and NATO allies to turn the screw on Putin, engaging directly with Russia and distancing from Ukraine in the hopes that smoothing U.S. relations with Moscow would bring about a rapid end to the invasion.
But Trump has since said he does not believe Putin wants to stop the invasion, triggering a hardening of his stance against Russia and a pivot back towards aiding Ukraine’s defense, albeit with the costs largely borne by European taxpayers instead of Americans.
“My conversations with [Putin] are very pleasant, and then the missiles go off at night,” Trump said at the White House on Monday, adding that “it just keeps going on and on and on.”
This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.
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