Putin blames the failure of Ukraine negotiations on "excessive expectations"; Trump orders deployment of two nuclear submarines to "appropriate areas"

US President Trump earlier this week called on Russia to end the war before next week, and Russian President Putin made his first public comments on Friday (August 1) regarding those who are disappointed with the slow progress of peace talks with Ukraine, saying that it is because of "excessive expectations".

According to The New York Times, Putin did not directly respond to Trump's ultimatum on July 29. At that time, Trump threatened to impose financial sanctions on Russia and its oil buyers, including China, India, and Turkey, if the Moscow authorities did not stop the war within about 12 days.

As Trump strengthened his tone, the Russian military also intensified attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure.

When Putin visited a remote monastery in northwest Russia on Friday, he told the media that those who were dissatisfied with the slow pace of the negotiations underestimated the relevant operations of the negotiations.

Putin said: "All the disappointment comes from excessive expectations... To resolve this issue through peaceful means, we need in-depth communication, not in public, but in quiet negotiations."

Russian senior officials have repeatedly implied over the past weeks that Trump has not understood the complex details required to achieve a peace agreement acceptable to both Moscow and Kyiv.

However, Western leaders, including Trump, have countered that Putin seems to be using this as a way to delay, avoiding a real commitment to a ceasefire. Russia is conducting a summer offensive and continues to gain territory on the battlefield, which gives Putin more confidence given Ukraine's shortage of military forces and weapons.

Despite multiple calls between Putin and Trump, there has been no indication that Putin is willing to make concessions. Putin reiterated today: "The conditions for ending the war remain the same as always."

The Kremlin has previously demanded that Ukraine be banned from joining military alliances such as NATO, limit its military capabilities, and hand over large territories, including some areas that Russia has not fully occupied since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Kyiv has condemned these demands as unacceptable and an infringement on Ukraine's sovereignty.

Trump orders deployment of two nuclear submarines

On the same day, US President Trump ordered the deployment of two nuclear submarines, marking an unusual escalation in the verbal battle between Trump and Russian senior officials over Ukraine and tariffs.

According to AFP, Trump posted on his social platform Truth Social that due to "provocative" remarks by Russian Federation Security Council Deputy Chairman Medvedev, he had "ordered the deployment of two nuclear submarines to appropriate areas".

However, Trump did not reveal whether the two submarines were strategic nuclear submarines equipped with nuclear weapons or attack nuclear submarines equipped with conventional weapons. He also did not specify the exact area of deployment.

AFP pointed out that Trump and Medvedev have been clashing online for several days. Trump previously threatened that if Russia and Ukraine did not reach a peace agreement within 50 days, the US would impose "very severe" tariffs on Russia. He then shortened this deadline to 10 to 12 days. US senior diplomat Kelly stated at a UN Security Council meeting on July 31 that Trump had shown that he hopes Ukraine and Russia will reach an agreement to end the war by August 8.

Medvedev responded on social media, saying that each of Trump's ultimatums against Russia is a threat. He also said that when Russia sits at the negotiation table should not be decided by Trump.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1839340382539145/

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