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Putin's right-hand man tells Lindsey Graham to ‘Work on America' in response to peace talk demands
Dmitry Medvedev, a high-ranking Russian official who currently serves as deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, snarkily responded to Graham on X on Monday after the South Carolina senator echoed Trump's request for Russia to negotiate to end the war.
'To those in Russia who believe that President Trump is not serious about ending the bloodbath between Russia and Ukraine: You and your customers will soon be sadly mistaken. You will also soon see that Joe Biden is no longer president,' Graham told Medvedev. 'Get to the peace table.'
But Medvedev waved off Graham's threat, insisting, 'It's not for you or Trump to dictate when to 'get at the peace table.''
'Negotiations will end when all the objectives of our military operation have been achieved. Work on America first, gramps!' Medvedev said.
The exchange between Medvedev and Graham occurred on the same day that Trump warned Russian President Vladimir Putin that he had 10 to 12 days to make progress on a peace deal to stop the war with Ukraine, or Russia would face 'severe tariffs.'
Russia invaded Ukraine more than three years ago, and since then, the two countries have been battling. Ukraine has relied heavily on support from allies, including the U.S., to fight Russia.
Trump had initially opposed providing Ukraine with financial, humanitarian, and military aid. He heavily campaigned on the idea that he could 'end' the war between Russia and Ukraine swiftly. However, it's proven difficult for the U.S. president.
Earlier this month, Trump said he would give Putin 50 days to strike a deal. However, he shortened that timeframe on Monday while expressing some frustration with Putin's lack of effort in striking a ceasefire.
Hours later, Medvedev took to X to warn Trump that 'playing the ultimatum game with Russia' would lead to war between Russia and the United States.
That's when Graham stepped in to demand Russia begin peace negotiations.
The Independent has asked Graham's office for comment.
From Medvedev's response, it appeared Russia is in no hurry to stop the fighting in Ukraine. That was all but formally confirmed on Monday evening after Russia bombarded Ukraine with a series of missiles.
At least 22 people were killed as part of the Russian strikes, which targeted a Ukrainian prison camp and a Ukrainian hospital. At least one of those people killed was a pregnant woman, the Washington Post reported.
Should Russia fail to come to the peace table talks, Trump could impose hefty sanctions – which would be on top of the sanctions the U.S. has already imposed on Russia.
Graham, who has largely supported the U.S. sending aid to Ukraine, has co-sponsored bipartisan legislation that would impose a 500 percent tariff on imported goods from countries that purchase Russian oil, gas, uranium, and other products.
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