US President Donald Trump has issued a renewed ultimatum to Russia, drastically reducing the time given to end the war in Ukraine from the previously announced 50 days to just “about 10 or 12 days,” beginning immediately.
Speaking from his luxury Turnberry golf resort in southwest Scotland during a bilateral meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Trump expressed growing frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin over continued civilian attacks.
“There is no reason in waiting,” Trump stated. “I really felt it was going to end. But every time I think it’s going to end he kills people. I’m not so interested in talking (to him) anymore.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded swiftly, hailing Trump’s firm position.
“Right on time, when a lot can change through strength for real peace. I thank President Trump for his focus on saving lives and stopping this horrible war,” Zelensky said on social media.
Beyond Ukraine, the two leaders discussed the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where Trump acknowledged the severity of conditions.
“We’re going to be getting some good strong food, we can save a lot of people. I mean, some of those kids — that’s real starvation stuff,” Trump said, announcing plans to establish walk-in “food centres” in the war-torn territory. He added that a ceasefire was still possible.
Starmer, under increasing pressure at home to recognize a Palestinian state, described the situation in Gaza as an “absolute catastrophe.”
The leaders also touched on economic relations, specifically a UK-US trade deal signed on May 8 which lowers tariffs on select UK exports. Though not yet in effect, the United States president signaled willingness to avoid punitive tariffs on British pharmaceuticals.
“We certainly feel a lot better with your country working on pharmaceuticals for America than some of the other countries,” he told Starmer. “With the relationship we have, you would not use that as a cudgel. You wouldn’t be using it as a block.”
The Turnberry summit followed Sunday’s visit by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, where a landmark US-EU agreement was reached to prevent a looming trade war over tariffs.
Trump, who has made realigning US trade policy a top agenda item in his second term, boasted of breakthroughs with Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia, and the European Union. A White House spokesperson confirmed that the new trade deals are expected to take effect on August 1, replacing the current tariff structures.
After the meeting, Trump and Starmer, accompanied by Victoria Starmer, flew via Air Force One to Prestwick and then by Marine One to Trump’s Balmedie resort in Aberdeenshire for a private dinner. Trump is set to inaugurate a new golf course at the Balmedie site before returning to the US.
