Trump Lays Threat to Putin Ally Following Insult Comparing Him to 'Sleepy Joe'
In the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, the relationship between former US President Donald Trump and Russia's former President Dmitry Medvedev has taken a turn for the worse.
Recent social media exchanges between the two leaders reflect this deterioration. Medvedev, who served as Russia's president from 2008 to 2012, needled Trump with a comparison to current US President Joe Biden. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Medvedev stated that Trump is playing the ultimatum game with Russia, suggesting each new ultimatum is a threat and a step towards war.
Trump responded to Medvedev's post by publishing an unsettling post on his Truth Social site. He made an impromptu announcement that the two countries, which have been embroiled in a three-year war, now have only 10 more days to strike a deal. Trump warned Medvedev to watch his words, entering dangerous territory.
This exchange came after Trump set a firm deadline for Vladimir Putin to agree to a ceasefire. When Medvedev used "Sleepy Joe" - a moniker Trump used to mock his predecessor - in his social media post, Trump expressed outrage and accused Medvedev of acting as if he were still Russia's president.
Trump also stated that Russia and the USA do almost no business together. He further threatened to impose "secondary tariffs" against Russia if the country's current president, Vladimir Putin, did not agree to a ceasefire deal with Ukraine within 50 days.
As of late July 2025, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine remains active with ongoing Russian advances in eastern Ukraine, notably near Chasiv Yar, Lyman, and other key locations in Donetsk and Zaporizhia oblasts. Russian forces appear to be slowly progressing in their offensive, having taken over 11 kilometers in 26 months from Bakhmut to Chasiv Yar, which is strategically important for attacking Ukraine's defensive positions. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces have made recent localized advances and continue to innovate technically to counter Russian strikes.
The conflict involves complex international dimensions, including China’s enabling of Russian strikes and Western sanctions degrading Russian oil revenue. Diplomatic efforts for peace are complicated by Russia's ongoing rhetoric and nuclear threats aimed at undermining US-led negotiations.
In summary, the Russia-Ukraine conflict remains intensively militarized, with diplomatic channels strained and personal exchanges between leading figures like Trump and Medvedev characterized by acrimony linked directly to the war's progress.
- The acrimonious exchanges between Trump and Medvedev, two prominent figures in politics and policy-and-legislation, are reflecting the strained relationship between the United States and Russia, particularly in the context of the ongoing business-related issues, such as trade and tariffs, arising from the Russia-Ukraine war-and-conflicts.
- Amidst the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, which involves complex international dimensions like China’s role, Western sanctions, and nuclear threats, the general-news landscape is dominated by personal feuds and rhetoric between political leaders, such as the recent spats between former US President Donald Trump and Russia's former President Dmitry Medvedev, adding another layer of complexity to diplomatic efforts for peace.
