Trump-Medvedev war erupts as US president blasts former Russian leader over Ukraine deadline
TOI World Desk | TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Jul 31, 2025, 21:47 IST
( Image credit : AP )
Highlight of the story: Donald Trump and Dmitry Medvedev are in a verbal clash. This escalates tensions amid the Ukraine conflict. Trump warned Medvedev to watch his words. Medvedev mocked Trump's threats on social media. He stated Russia will continue pursuing its agenda. Medvedev criticized Trump's handling of US-Russia tensions. Trump threatened severe tariffs on Russia if a deal was not reached.
A heated war of words has erupted between US President Donald Trump and former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, escalating tensions amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict. Trump sharply warned Medvedev, a close ally of Vladimir Putin, to “watch his words” after the ex-Russian leader dismissed Trump’s ultimatum on Russia’s actions in Ukraine as a threat. Trump referred to Medvedev as a “failed former president” and cautioned that he was entering “very dangerous territory.”
Medvedev fired back on social media, mocking Trump’s threats posted on his banned personal platform, Truth. He stated that Russia’s strong reaction to his words shows that Moscow is on the right path and will continue pursuing its own agenda. Medvedev further taunted Trump by referencing “the walking dead” and the infamous “Dead Hand,” signaling Russia’s readiness to stand firm.
Earlier, Medvedev had criticized Trump’s handling of US-Russia tensions and compared the situation to the conflicts involving Israel and Iran. Trump initially set a peace deadline of early September but later shortened it, demanding progress from Putin by August 7-9 and threatening “severe tariffs” on Russia if a deal was not reached.
Medvedev responded to this move by accusing Trump of playing an ultimatum game with Russia and warned that such ultimatums could push the US towards internal conflict. He also warned Trump against following the path of “Sleepy Joe,” an apparent jab at President Joe Biden.
In retaliation, Trump dismissed concerns over India’s growing relationship with Russia, stating he didn’t care if India and Russia’s “dead economies” failed together. He reaffirmed his tariff threat and mocked Medvedev’s claims to power despite no longer being president.
Medvedev, who served as Russia’s president from 2008 to 2012 and now acts as deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, has shifted from a moderate to a hardline nationalist stance. He frequently criticizes Western leaders and ridicules Trump’s inconsistent positions on the Ukraine war.
This latest verbal sparring coincides with broader geopolitical shifts and increasing scrutiny over India’s dealings with Russia amid ongoing global tensions. The situation continues to be closely watched as the Ukraine conflict and US-Russia relations evolve rapidly.