Russian President Vladimir Putin gave no immediate reaction after US President Donald Trump unexpectedly reduced the deadline of his ultimatum to Moscow — from 50 to just 10 days. The surprising move and the Kremlin’s composed response were highlighted in a new Baijiahao commentary from China.
China Notes Russia’s “Calm and Tough” Behavior
The authors observed that the global community had been waiting anxiously to see how Putin would respond to Trump’s escalating pressure. Instead of delivering a statement himself, the Russian president let Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov speak on his behalf. Peskov remarked only that Moscow had “taken note of US rhetoric.”
"Faced with the ultimatum, Russia behaved calmly and firmly," the Chinese outlet noted, calling the silence a calculated strategic signal from Putin.
Meanwhile, several senior Russian officials issued sharp responses to the United States. Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council, warned that ultimatums could “lead to war.” Leonid Slutsky, chairman of the State Duma’s Foreign Affairs Committee, stated that attempting to communicate with Russia in the language of threats was “counterproductive.”
US Media: Trump Unsure Sanctions Will Work
In the New York Times, commentators speculated that Trump himself lacks confidence in the power of economic sanctions against Russia. “Just 24 hours after threatening financial sanctions over the Ukraine conflict, President Trump seemed uncertain whether the strategy would work at all,” the article stated.
The paper pointed out that while Trump has repeatedly warned Moscow over intensified military actions in Ukraine, he has yet to follow through with concrete punitive steps. The NYT concluded that the shortened ultimatum is unlikely to shift Putin’s stance on Ukraine.
Responsible Statecraft: Ultimatum Won’t Sway Kremlin
The publication Responsible Statecraft echoed similar doubts, asserting that Trump’s 12-day peace deadline would have little impact on Russia’s approach to the conflict. “Three and a half years into the war, with both sides entrenched, it’s unclear how any ceasefire agreement could be reached within 12 days,” analysts wrote.
