US President Donald Trump has sharply reduced the time he is giving Russia to reach a ceasefire deal in Ukraine, warning that Moscow now has “10 or 12 days” to act or face severe sanctions.

Speaking alongside British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Scotland on Monday, Trump said he was “disappointed” in Russian President Vladimir Putin and would cut the 50-day window he initially offered. “I’m going to reduce that 50 days that I gave him to a lesser number,” Trump said. Hours later, he clarified the deadline would be August 5 or 7.

The US president first set the timeline on July 14 during a meeting in Washington with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, threatening “very severe tariffs” of up to 100% on Moscow if the war did not end.

Trump described the nearly two-and-a-half-year conflict as a “really bloody war” and insisted a negotiated settlement was “common sense.” However, he added he was “not interested” in further direct talks with Putin.

Russian forces have continued their assaults despite the ultimatum, with Moscow claiming to have downed almost 100 Ukrainian drones over the weekend, prompting the temporary shutdown of St. Petersburg’s Pulkovo airport and the cancellation of dozens of flights.

Ukraine welcomed Trump’s move, with Andriy Yermak, head of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s office, praising the shortened deadline. “Thanks to President @POTUS for standing firm and delivering a clear message of peace through strength,” Yermak posted on X.

“Putin respects only power — and that message is loud and clear. When America leads with strength, others think twice,” he added.

Putin has maintained that any ceasefire deal must include Ukraine’s withdrawal from four occupied regions Russia illegally annexed in 2022 — areas it has never fully controlled.

Despite the looming deadline, neither side has indicated any immediate breakthrough in negotiations, leaving the war’s trajectory uncertain as the clock runs down on Trump’s new ultimatum.