Trump's deadline reduction prompts Medvedev's display of military threats
In a sharp rebuke, former Russian President Dmitri Medvedev, now deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, has criticised US President Donald Trump's tariff announcements and the ultimatum regarding the Ukraine-Russia conflict. Medvedev views Trump's reduced deadline for Russia to end the conflict as a provocative "step towards war" not just involving Russia and Ukraine but potentially leading to a conflict with the United States itself.
Trump, who has been vocal about his disappointment with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, has reduced the deadline for significantly higher tariffs on Russia's trading partners from 50 days to "ten or twelve" days. He justified the step, stating that Putin had shown no willingness to compromise.
Medvedev's stance is firmly against Trump’s approach, framing it as dangerous brinkmanship that could worsen the situation. He also criticised the recent EU-US trade agreement, calling it “anti-Russian” and likening it to a ban on Russian oil and gas imports. This reflects Russia’s broader resistance to Western economic pressure amid ongoing conflict and sanctions.
In a post on the X platform, Medvedev wrote that every ultimatum is a step towards war. He further threatened that Trump's actions could lead to conflict, not just between Russia and Ukraine, but with his own country.
The new customs deadline set by Trump is significantly shorter than the previous one, adding to the escalating tension. Trump's move is not well received in Moscow, and the US President's increased pressure on Russia is aimed at achieving peace for Ukraine. However, Russia insists that any peace negotiations must include major Ukrainian concessions first.
This contrasts with U.S. and Ukrainian calls for a ceasefire and peace negotiations, which Russia resists. The situation remains volatile, with both sides digging their heels in, and the threat of a wider conflict looming.
- The Commission, in the midst of the escalating tension, might find it necessary to consult on the draft directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens, considering the potential impact of war-and-conflicts on the general-news landscape.
- Amidst the political wrangling over the Ukraine-Russia conflict and the ensuing tariff announcements, it is crucial for global news outlets to address this evolving crisis, given its potential ramifications for workers exposed to carcinogens.
