Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev sharply criticized US President Donald Trump after the latter threatened to shorten the deadline given to Russia to reach a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine.
In a post on the X platform, Medvedev said, "Every new ultimatum is a threat and a step toward war. Not between Russia and Ukraine, but with his own country (the United States)," warning that US escalation could lead to a direct clash with Moscow.
"Russia is not Israel or even Iran," Medvedev added, in a pointed tone, referring to the recent brief war between Tel Aviv and Tehran, which saw US military intervention in support of Israel.
Medvedev currently serves as Deputy Chairman of the Russian National Security Council and is considered an influential figure in Russian political circles, despite previously holding the presidency on an interim basis between 2008 and 2012.
Medvedev's remarks came in response to Trump's escalating rhetoric toward Moscow, amid faltering efforts to end the war in Ukraine, which has been raging for more than two years.
Earlier this month, Trump announced a 50-day deadline for Russia to cease fire, threatening to impose steep tariffs on its trading partners if it failed to comply. He set a September 2 deadline for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
However, during his meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday, Trump reiterated that he would "reduce the deadline from 50 to just 10 or 12 days," noting that "time is running out" and that he was "very disappointed with Putin" over Russia's continued bombing of civilian targets in Ukraine.
Trump added, "I thought the war would end, but every time I think it will, Putin kills more people... I'm no longer interested in talking to him."
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Medvedev to Trump: We are not Israel or Iran, and ultimatums lead to war