Latest news with #SecurityCouncilofRussia
Sky News AU
2 days ago
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Russia threatens 'preemptive strikes' on West days after US President Donald Trump demands Ukraine ceasefire
Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev has claimed the Kremlin could launch "preemptive strikes" on Western nations if they escalate the war in Ukraine just days after United States President Donald Trump demanded a ceasefire. On Tuesday, President Trump threatened to impose "very severe" tariffs on Russia unless the Kremlin negotiated an end to its invasion. The US leader also declared he was "very unhappy" with Russian President Vladimir Putin's reticence to engage in peace talks, in a notable shift away from previous comments praising Russia's leader. The Kremlin subsequently dismissed the threat, with Mr Medvedev, who now acts as the Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of Russia, describing it as a "theatrical ultimatum". On Thursday, the senior Russian official went further still, telling state media the Kremlin was ready to "respond in full" to any perceived escalation of the war by Western nations. "The statements of Western politicians on this topic are complete nonsense," he said, adding many were attempting to deliberately rachet up tensions. "We need to act accordingly. To respond in full and, if necessary, launch preemptive strikes." Mr Medvedev did not name President Trump in his remarks, but was likely responding both the the US leader and comments from Ukraine's European and NATO allies following the announcement of further military support. Under a fresh agreement, the US is set to provide NATO with weapons, including advanced Patriot missile systems, which will then be distributed to Ukraine to aid its defence against Russian invaders. Russia has long argued the provision of Western weapons to Ukraine represents direct European and US involvement in the war, a claim Mr Medvedev reiterated on Thursday. "What is happening today is a proxy war, but in essence it is a full-scale war, sanctions packages, loud statements about the militarisation of Europe," he told Russian outlet TASS. "It's another attempt to destroy the 'historical anomaly' hated by the West - Russia, our country." Given Mr Medvedev's remarks, it appears highly unlikely the Kremlin will bow to President Trump's demand for a ceasefire. Russian forces have continued to make gains in Ukraine, with President Putin understood to be keen on continuing to push forward until the West is prepared to meet his terms for peace. Those demands include several stipulations Ukraine deems unacceptable, including the almost complete disbandment of its armed forces and the surrender of huge amounts of land to Russia. The majority of European leaders have backed Ukraine's stance, maintaining any peace agreement should not be negotiated on Russian terms, although it US officials have made no such demands. When asked about the terms of any peace agreement, President Trump has been light on detail, simply insisting the fighting needed to end. The US leader has suggested Ukraine may need to concede territory to Russia in order to secure peace and has also refused to provide guarantees over the nation's future security. With Reuters
Miami Herald
4 days ago
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Top Putin Ally Reacts to Trump's Big Ukraine Moves
Dmitry Medvedev shrugged off U.S. President Donald Trump's latest moves on Ukraine, framing them as a disappointment for Europe and the American leader's actions as "theatrical". "Trump issued a theatrical ultimatum to the Kremlin," Medvedev, Russian President Vladimir Putin's deputy on the Security Council of Russia, posted to his social media. "The world shuddered, expecting the consequences. Belligerent Europe was disappointed. Russia didn't care." Medvedev, a top ally of Putin, is also a former president and prime minister of Russia. Trump confirmed on Monday, July 14, that he would be sending more Patriot air defense missiles to Ukraine, as well as offensive weapons that would be paid for by Kyiv's European allies. He also threatened to hit Russia with 100 percent secondary sanctions if Putin did not end the war within 50 days, a move that could strike a painful economic blow to Russia. It means those still trading with Russia would face the tariff, forcing them to choose sides. The American president unveiled the moves during a White House meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with Putin as Russia continues to pound Ukrainian cities with drones and missiles, and continues with troop advances in the east, while the White House is attempting to broker peace. He had for months resisted pressure from Kyiv and NATO allies to turn the screw on Putin, engaging directly with Russia and distancing from Ukraine in the hopes that smoothing U.S. relations with Moscow would bring about a rapid end to the invasion. But Trump has since said he does not believe Putin wants to stop the invasion, triggering a hardening of his stance against Russia and a pivot back towards aiding Ukraine's defense, albeit with the costs largely borne by European taxpayers instead of Americans. "My conversations with [Putin] are very pleasant, and then the missiles go off at night," Trump said at the White House on Monday, adding that "it just keeps going on and on and on." Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov laid out Moscow's main demands for peace in a recent interview with Hungarian media. They include a demilitarized and neutral Ukraine that is not a member of NATO; international recognition of the Ukrainian territory now under Russian control; the lifting of sanctions on Russia and an end to legal action against Russian businesses; and greater protections for the Russian language and culture in Ukraine. Ukraine accuses Russia of an imperial war of aggression against a sovereign country, one that has needlessly killed hundreds of thousands of people, and a desire to erase Ukrainian identity. Kyiv says Russia will not stop unless it is forced to. This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow. Related Articles Can Trump's Patriot Missiles Help Ukraine Turn the Tide Against Russia?List of US Imports From Russia as Trump Threatens Secondary TariffsDonald Trump Issues New Threat to RussiaZelensky Reacts After Trump Aide Visit Amid Looming US-Russia Shift 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Top Putin Ally Reacts to Trump's Big Ukraine Moves
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Dmitry Medvedev shrugged off U.S. President Donald Trump's latest moves on Ukraine, framing them as a disappointment for Europe and the American leader's actions as "theatrical". "Trump issued a theatrical ultimatum to the Kremlin," Medvedev, Russian President Vladimir Putin's deputy on the Security Council of Russia, posted to his social media. "The world shuddered, expecting the consequences. Belligerent Europe was disappointed. Russia didn't care." Medvedev, a top ally of Putin, is also a former president and prime minister of Russia. Trump confirmed on Monday, July 14, that he would be sending more Patriot air defense missiles to Ukraine, as well as offensive weapons that would be paid for by Kyiv's European allies. He also threatened to hit Russia with 100 percent secondary sanctions if Putin did not end the war within 50 days, a move that could strike a painful economic blow to Russia. The American president unveiled the moves during a White House meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.
Miami Herald
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Putin's Security Chief Taunts Trump Over Latest Ukraine Move
Dmitry Medvedev taunted U.S. President Donald Trump for shifting positions on the Russia-Ukraine war, likening it to a seesaw, after he directed the Pentagon to supply Kyiv with more weapons. Medvedev is deputy to Russian President Vladimir Putin on the Security Council of Russia, which advises Putin on national security and strategic matters, and is himself a former president and prime minister of the country. Trump's directive comes after his administration scrapped a planned shipment of weapons to Ukraine in light of a Pentagon review that raised concerns about the level of domestic stockpiles. He was also "very disappointed" by a recent call with Putin, and said he did not think the Russian leader wanted to stop fighting in Ukraine. Trump is attempting to broker peace in the Russia-Ukraine war. Ukraine's allies say only more pressure on Putin can achieve this. "The American is once again riding his favorite political seesaw," Medevdev posted to his Telegram page on Tuesday morning, July 8, originally in Russian. "'I'm satisfied with the conversation with Putin.' 'I'm disappointed with the conversation with Putin.' 'We're not supplying new weapons to Ukraine.' 'We'll supply lots of weapons to Ukraine for defense.' "How should we react to this? The same way as before. The same way our warriors do. The same way the Supreme Commander-in-Chief does. Not at all. Keep pursuing the goals of the Special Military Operation. Take back our land. Work for Victory." This is a developing article. Updates to follow. Related Articles Russia-Linked Tankers Keep ExplodingDonald Trump Sending More Weapons to Ukraine: What We KnowLavrov Lists Russia Demands for Ukraine PeaceCaptive Audience: How Putin Shapes Russian Opinions 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Putin's Security Chief Taunts Trump Over Latest Ukraine Move
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Dmitry Medvedev taunted U.S. President Donald Trump for shifting positions on the Russia-Ukraine war after he directed the Pentagon to supply Kyiv with more weapons. Medvedev is deputy to Russian President Vladimir Putin on the Security Council of Russia, which advises Putin on national security and strategic matters, and is himself a former president and prime minister of the country. Trump's directive comes after his administration scrapped a planned shipment of weapons to Ukraine in light of a Pentagon review that raised concerns about the level of domestic stockpiles. He was also "very disappointed" by a recent call with Putin, and said he did not think the Russian leader wanted to stop fighting in Ukraine. Trump is attempting to broker peace in the Russia-Ukraine war. "The American is once again riding his favorite political seesaw," Medevdev posted to his Telegram page on Tuesday morning, July 8, originally in Russian. "'I'm satisfied with the conversation with Putin.' 'I'm disappointed with the conversation with Putin.' 'We're not supplying new weapons to Ukraine.' 'We'll supply lots of weapons to Ukraine for defense.' "How should we react to this? The same way as before. The same way our warriors do. The same way the Supreme Commander-in-Chief does. "Not at all. Keep pursuing the goals of the Special Military Operation. Take back our land. Work for Victory." This is a developing article. Updates to follow.
