Putin Seen Dismissing Trump Cease-Fire Ultimatum as Aug. 8 Deadline Looms

Russian President Vladimir Putin is unlikely to comply with a U.S. ultimatum that demands a Ukraine cease-fire by Aug. 8 in exchange for avoiding new sanctions, according to sources familiar with Kremlin discussions. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose 100% tariffs on countries purchasing Russian crude and to add further economic penalties unless Moscow halts its campaign. People briefed on the matter said Putin doubts Washington will follow through on the measures and believes Russia can withstand additional pressure after more than three years of war-time restrictions. The Kremlin’s priority, the sources said, remains the full capture of the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson before entering substantive peace talks. Despite concerns about worsening relations with Washington, Putin views recent battlefield gains as reinforcing his position. A visit to Moscow this week by Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, could offer a last-minute chance to negotiate, but the Kremlin sees the current talks as largely symbolic. U.S. officials did not comment on whether the threatened tariffs would be enforced if the deadline passes without a deal.