Trump-Medvedev war erupts, US President blasts ‘failed former’ Russian leader to ‘watch his words’ after Putin’s aide mocked Ukraine deadline

A war of words has started between US President Donald Trump and former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev. Trump issued a warning to the former Russian President and close ally of Vladimir Putin, telling him to “watch his words.” A couple of days back, Medvedev heavily criticized Trump’s handling of U.S.-Russia tensions on the US ultimatum to Russia to stop the ‘killing’ in Ukraine and drew a provocative comparison to Israel and Iran.

Trump announced on July 14 that he would implement “severe tariffs” on Russia unless a peace deal is reached by early September.

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Then, on July 28, he indicated that he was now giving Putin 10 to 12 days to make progress, meaning he expects peace efforts to advance by August 7-9. This new timeline shortens the 50-day deadline he had initially set for the Russian leader just two weeks earlier.

Reacting to the post on July 28, Medvedev said on X:
“Trump’s playing the ultimatum game with Russia: 50 days or 10… He should remember 2 things:
1. Russia isn’t Israel or even Iran.
2. Each new ultimatum is a threat and a step towards war. Not between Russia and Ukraine, but with his own country. Don’t go down the Sleepy Joe road!”

In response, President Trump, who just imposed a 25 per cent tariff on Indian imports, fired back and mocked Medvedev in a strongly worded post:

“I don’t care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care…

Let’s keep it that way, and tell Medvedev, the failed former President of Russia, who thinks he’s still President, to watch his words. He’s entering very dangerous territory!”

Trump’s remarks came amid mounting scrutiny of India’s growing ties with Moscow and coincided with a broader shift in his administration’s foreign policy posture.

Medvedev, who served as Russia’s president from 2008 to 2012, remains a high-ranking official as deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council and one of the most vocal supporters of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Once seen as a moderate within the Kremlin, he has taken a hard nationalist turn, routinely attacking Western leaders and mocking Trump’s past statements.

Earlier this month, on July 8, Medvedev posted sarcastically on Telegram about Trump’s shifting positions:

“The top American is riding his favorite political rollercoaster again…
‘I am pleased with my conversation with Putin.’ / ‘I’m very disappointed.’
‘We are not supplying weapons to Ukraine.’ / ‘We will send more.’
Push forward. Reclaim our land. Work for Victory.”

And on May 27, Medvedev had issued another thinly veiled warning on the platform X after Trump said Putin was “playing with fire”:

“I only know of one REALLY BAD thing — WWIII. I hope Trump understands this!”