Media: Trump gives Putin two-week ultimatum on Ukraine ceasefire talks

President Donald Trump has given Russian President Vladimir Putin a two-week deadline to show tangible progress in ceasefire negotiations over Ukraine, warning that failure to deliver could prompt a shift in Washington’s approach.

While the two leaders have publicly maintained a cordial relationship, tensions have recently escalated, Caliber.Az reports, citing American media.

Trump is reportedly growing impatient with the Kremlin’s demands, which U.S. officials say amount to insisting on Ukraine’s capitulation in the three-year war.

When asked in the Oval Office whether he believed Putin was serious about peace, Trump replied, “I’ll let you know in about two weeks,” adding, “We’re going to find out whether or not he’s tapping us along or not, and if he is, we’ll respond a little bit differently.”

The ultimatum reflects mounting frustration within the White House, as hopes that conciliatory diplomacy would yield results now appear to be fading. Senior officials are urging Trump to consider stronger measures against Moscow if no progress is made.

That includes possible new sanctions. On May 25, Trump said he would “absolutely” consider them, but reversed course by Wednesday, cautioning, “I don’t want to screw it up by doing that.”

He may soon face pressure from Congress regardless. A bipartisan bill led by Senators Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) proposing a 500% tariff on Russian exports, including oil, now has 81 cosponsors. In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, Graham warned that the Senate would act “if Putin continued to play games,” urging Americans to “prepare for more of the same” from the “thug in Moscow.”

Meanwhile, Moscow has yet to deliver the peace memorandum that Putin promised following his last call with Trump. The Kremlin claims the document is nearly finished. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov proposed new talks with Ukraine on June 2 in Istanbul, where he said the memorandum would be presented.

Ukraine's Defence Minister Rustem Umerov on May 28 accused Moscow of stalling. Posting on X, he urged Russia to deliver its proposal in advance, noting that Kyiv had already submitted its version.

Some U.S. policymakers are also pushing for tougher action against Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” of roughly 500 tankers that have helped Moscow skirt U.S. and EU oil price cap sanctions.

By Tamilla Hasanova