Zelensky Administrative Figure Lauds Trump for Granted Putin a 10-day Reprieve on Ukraine Invasion: 'U.S. Seriousness Forces Russia to Retreat'

In the ongoing standoff between Russia and Ukraine, key figures from both nations have been exchanging strong words and threats.

Andriy Yermak, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's right-hand man, has praised President Trump for reducing the time frame for Russia to show willingness to make peace with Kyiv. Yermak believes that when the US leads, the free world follows, and when America is serious, Russia backs down. However, Russian Security Council Deputy Chair Dmitry Medvedev has accused Trump of risking a US-Russia war.

Medvedev claimed that "Russia isn't Israel or even Iran" and cannot be influenced by American strength. In response, Yermak called Medvedev's statement "very stupid" and asserted that Ukraine has never asked the US to get directly involved in the conflict.

Should the assault continue, Trump has promised to levy 100% tariffs on any country buying Russian oil, either directly or indirectly. This threat has been met with public messages from the Kremlin aiming to downplay the effects of potential sanctions in an attempt to change Trump's mind.

At last week's meeting, Moscow's reps kept the discussions to prisoner of war exchanges and did not entertain talk of a cease-fire. Yermak argues that the sanctions would destroy any Russian narrative and some pro-Russian forces, and would embolden Russians who already feel the pinch in their wallets to speak out and demand the conflict stop.

Moscow has occasionally feigned interest in a negotiated settlement, most recently holding lower-level meetings with Ukrainian officials in Turkey last week. However, the US president originally gave Putin 50 days from July 14 to stop his assault on Kyiv, but so far, the Kremlin has shown no inclination to do so. Trump has now given Russia until August 8 to avoid economic sanctions aimed at stopping the flow of cash funding Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

In a heated exchange, Trump attacked Dmitry Medvedev in the context of impending sanctions against Russia, responding to Medvedev’s war threats by warning about economic penalties and tariffs. Medvedev retaliated with provocative remarks, including a veiled nuclear threat referring to Russia's "Dead Hand" system.

Yermak compared the attempt to set the narrative to that surrounding the debate over whether then-President Biden should send Ukraine Patriot air-defense systems last year. Yermak stated that it is necessary to not believe in Russian propaganda and that the Patriots, demonstrated to the world as the best air defense, destroy any kind of rockets.

As the deadline for Trump's sanctions approaches, tensions between the two nations continue to rise, with both sides showing no signs of backing down. The fate of Ukraine and the broader geopolitical landscape hang in the balance.