From: Transform Ukraine By Douglas Landro / July 16, 2025
As Moscow Dismisses Washington’s Latest Ultimatum and Launches Record Drone Barrages, Ukraine Faces Government Reshuffling While Russian Forces Advance on Multiple Fronts
Summary of the Day – July 15, 2025
The day began with the echo of explosions across Ukraine as Russian forces launched yet another massive drone assault, this time targeting cities from Kharkiv to Kryvyi Rih with devastating precision. But it was the diplomatic theater in Washington and Moscow that captured global attention, as President Donald Trump’s latest 50-day ultimatum to Russia met with calculated indifference from the Kremlin and skeptical fatigue from Ukrainians who have heard such promises before. While Russian officials dismissed Trump’s threatened “severe tariffs” as theatrical posturing, Ukraine’s parliament moved to reshape its government, suspending participation in the Ottawa Convention on anti-personnel mines and preparing for a major cabinet reshuffle that could see Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal become defense minister.
Moscow’s Calculated Dismissal: The Kremlin’s Response to Trump’s Theater
Russian officials delivered a masterclass in diplomatic contempt as they responded to President Trump’s latest threat to impose “severe tariffs” on Russia unless Moscow agrees to a peace deal within 50 days. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told TASS that Russia views any attempt to make demands of Russia, “especially ultimatums,” as “unacceptable.” His words carried the weight of a nation that has weathered three years of sanctions and believes it can outlast Western pressure indefinitely.
Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov echoed these sentiments while maintaining diplomatic courtesy, claiming Russia remains ready to participate in negotiations but blamed Ukraine for the lack of progress. The most dismissive response came from Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev, who posted on X that “Russia didn’t care” about Trump’s “theatrical ultimatum.”
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed confidence that Russia would cope with any new US tariffs, noting that Moscow is already “coping” with existing sanctions. This confidence reflects Moscow’s belief that its economy has adapted to Western pressure and that new tariffs would prove ineffective.
Voice of Ukraine 