President Trump is putting increasing pressure on the Kremlin to reach a new ceasefire with Ukraine.

Following demands to implement a ceasefire in 50 days, the President has now indicated that he wants action in just ten days.

Onboard Air Force One in Scotland where he had been negotiating trade deals with European leaders, Trump said "Ten days from today. Okay?" in comments about the new shorter deadline.

What happens if the Russians don't meet the president's demand?

"And then you know, we're going to put on tariffs and stuff, and I don't know if it's going to affect Russia, because he wants to obviously probably keep the war going," Trump said, with reference to Russian President Vladimir Putin. "But we're going to put on tariffs and the various things that you put on. It may or may not affect them, but it could."

Trump has grown increasingly frustrated by Russia's apparent unwillingness to reach an agreement on a ceasefire. 

"There's no reason in waiting," Trump commented on July 29. "We just don't see any progress being made."

Russia Advances on the Battlefield

It could be that progress is slow in reaching a ceasefire because Russia lacks incentive on the battlefield to do so. Over recent months Russia has acted from a position of strength as Ukrainian defenses seem to be weakening.

According to the Institute for the Study of War's most recent assessment of the Russian offensive campaign on July 29, Russian forces have continued to make advancements. The ISW noted that Russian advances included:

  • Advances in eastern Zaporizhia Oblast where Russian soldiers captured the town of Temyrivka
    Advances near Novopavlivka where "Russian forces likely recently seized Oleksiivka."
    Advances near Pokrovsk where the Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that Russian soldiers seized Novoukrainka.

With little reason on the battlefield to incentivize Russia to put an end to hostilities it remains to be seen if President Trump's new deadline and threat of increased sanctions will push the Kremlin toward peace.

Image: Whitehouse.gov