Various signs indicate: 1, Trump is about to take a tough stance against Putin; 2, Trump lacks confidence in the consequences.
Before leaving Scotland and boarding the plane back home, Trump asked his American companions: “Do you want a big story? Everyone listens intently: starting from today (July 29th)… for ten days…”
He continued: “We will impose tariffs, I don’t know if it will affect Russia… It might affect them, or it might not, but there’s that possibility…”
Trump meant: If Russia doesn’t compromise and doesn’t reach a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine, then after ten days, the US will hit hard on Russia, imposing tariffs.
Trump had already said: “100%” and would impose secondary tariffs on Russia.
After rounds of sanctions, the US and Russia have almost no trade left, so 100% can’t be implemented, so who buys Russian oil will be taxed.
Will Russia eat this? Will India eat this? Will China eat this?
So, on one hand, Trump swings the stick, imposing sanctions within ten days, starting today, and on the other hand, he is very conflicted: this might have an impact, but it might not, but there’s a chance, let’s just do it!
Of course, no one can be certain whether this is Trump’s final decision.
After all, in the world we can only be sure of one thing: Trump’s uncertainty.
It’s worth noting that just two weeks ago, Trump stated that if no results were achieved within 50 days, a 100% tariff sanction would be imposed on Russia.
The 50-day period hasn’t even passed yet, and now it has been reduced to ten days.
According to Trump’s statement, he has grown tired of negotiations with Russia, “I am very disappointed with President Putin, so we must reconsider. I will shorten the 50-day deadline… There’s no reason to wait any longer.”
I wanted to be generous, but we just couldn’t see any progress.”
Ukraine was pleased, and Zelenskyy immediately stated: “Trump’s decision is coming at the right time.”
He also praised Trump for his “clear stance and firm determination” in saving lives and ending this terrible war.
Don’t forget, before taking office, Trump boasted that as President of the United States, he could end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine within 24 hours.
But over 200 days have passed, and the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues.
This has become Trump’s biggest joke, where do you put his face?
Moreover, Trump is eagerly seeking the Nobel Peace Prize. This prize was won by Obama, but Trump didn’t get it, which angered him.
According to Trump, after his second term, he had stopped at least six major wars, who could be more like a “peaceful president” than him?
Which six wars, we don’t know.
But what we do know is that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has not ended, and the killings in Gaza continue.
Westerners are indifferent to Gaza, but Trump wants the Nobel Peace Prize, so the conflict with Russia must be resolved.
So, despite repeatedly emphasizing his good relationship with Putin, Trump still issued a threat to Russia: just 10 days.
I saw Trump’s threats were met with cheers from his supporters.
Republican Senator Graham from the US declared: “Those Russians who think President Trump is not serious about ending the bloody conflict between Russia and Ukraine will soon realize their mistake. They will quickly realize that Joe Biden is no longer President. Get back to the negotiating table.”
But the key question is, will Russia give in?
After looking at Russia’s reaction: it seems Russia doesn’t believe.
Firstly, they don’t believe Trump will really go hard, and secondly, they doubt any effect will come from it.
俄罗斯总统新闻秘书佩斯科夫回答得比较委婉，说，“我们已经注意到特朗普总统的声明，我不想对美国领导人的言论发表评论”。
但他强调，俄在乌克兰的“特别军事行动”将继续进行，“我们也致力于通过和平进程解决乌克兰问题，并在这一过程中维护我们的国家利益。”
俄罗斯前总统梅德韦杰夫则放飞自我，直接开怼说，“50天或10天……他应该记住两件事：1，俄罗斯不是以色列，甚至不是伊朗；2， 每一次新的最后通牒都是一种威胁，是迈向战争的一步。战争不是俄罗斯和乌克兰之间的战争，而是和他自己国家的战争。别重蹈‘瞌睡乔（拜登）’的覆辙！”
感觉还不过瘾，梅德韦杰夫又说：“‘何时走上谈判桌’，不是你或特朗普就能决定的，当我们的军事行动所有目标实现时，谈判就会结束。老兄，你还是美国优先吧！”
1，你威胁你的，但威胁俄罗斯，根本不起作用。
2，我们将继续战斗，军事目标都实现了，谈判自然就结束了。
3，特朗普啊特朗普，你还是多关心你的美国优先吧。
所以，不管50天，还是10天，还是100%关税，就是一个数字，特朗普未必当真，不排除更会顺延，我们又何必太当真。
也不排除，以特朗普和普京的关系，普京一个电话，各种小风一吹，特朗普立刻转嗔为喜，回心转意。
所以，这可能是特朗普挽回面子安抚批评者的举动，也排除他和普京在演出某种双簧——甚至公开示意普京，这10天你抓紧点时间干。
但多少，对普京，特朗普也算表达了一下自己微妙的心情吧。
所以，我看到，一些西方人就认为，特朗普威胁普京，就是一个笑话。
很简单，特朗普一方面是10天最后通牒，另一方面又表态不知道有没有影响，“这位现任美国总统对待一个敌对的核大国，就像处理一份快餐订单一样。没有战略，没有条理，只有空洞的威胁和毫无头绪的胡言乱语。”
用这位网友的话说：别这样吓唬普京。这根本不是领导力，而是鲁莽无能。特朗普每次开口，都在证实世人皆知的事实：他能力不足、不稳定，而且极其不严肃……
这可不是我说的，这是西方人的评点。
说特朗普不严肃，一变再变，我觉得，全世界都能理解；但你说特朗普能力不足，特朗普如果听到了，肯定暴跳如雷。
你什么东西，敢这样批评特朗普？
还有，普京，你到底给不给我点面子？
普京没回答，战斗在继续。
10天后，我们就会见分晓。