Expert Forecasts Putin's Response to Trump's 50-Day Ultimatum
US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose 100% tariffs on Russia if there is no ceasefire agreement in Ukraine within 50 days. Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin may use this time to escalate the war. He has repeatedly made it clear that he intends to continue his offensive against Ukraine. Only global power can force Russia to make peace, according to political scientist Igor Reiterovich.
The Gaze reports on it, referring to the FREEDOM TV channel broadcast.
"Unfortunately, it is quite easy to predict Putin's actions. He believes that, roughly speaking, he has 50 days. This is by no means a carte blanche for Putin. Because Trump did not just say that he would wait 50 days. He said that the US is now arming Ukraine. Trump has not done this before. He said that he would not allow Ukraine to lose. This is very important," he emphasised.
The head of the White House promised Ukraine new arms supplies, including Patriot air defence systems.
"With this 50-day ultimatum, Putin was once again given the opportunity to “save face”. Will Putin take advantage of this? No, he won't. He can't back down now or, as Russian propagandists say, give in. He needs some time to show that he is trying to act from a position of strength. In the coming weeks, there is a risk of new strikes on Ukraine. That is, Putin will try to play this out somehow. And then, as the deadline approaches, his rhetoric will begin to change. He will say that all the goals set have been achieved, that he is ready to sit down at the negotiating table," the speaker believes.
Then, in his opinion, Russia will continue to drag out peace negotiations with Ukraine. At the same time, Moscow will not give up on achieving its ‘goals.’
"Therefore, it is extremely important for us to finally agree with our partners on a vision for ending the war during these 50 days, so that it is unified, so that it is published, so that the Russian Federation is aware of it. And, accordingly, so that Putin has no opportunity to evade it. But for now, he will most likely resort to some kind of escalation," Reiterovich said.
The political scientist noted that Russia has limited resources to continue the war for some time. And the aggressor country cannot increase its advantage.
As The Gaze reported earlier, US President Donald Trump welcomed NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte to the White House on Monday, unveiling a new weapons agreement for Ukraine and threatening Russia with steep tariffs if peace talks fail within 50 days.