Livid Russia accuses US of 'blackmail' as Putin seizes area 'size of Greater Manchester'

In a major diplomatic escalation, the United States has reportedly issued a 50-day ultimatum to Russia, pressing the Kremlin to agree to a peace deal aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. If Moscow fails to respond, Washington has threatened to impose 100% secondary tariffs on countries that continue to trade in Russian oil, gas, and other goods.

The move, which has drawn sharp criticism from Russian officials, comes amid growing frustration in Washington over the Kremlin’s stance in peace negotiations. Moscow has accused the U.S.—specifically the Trump administration—of engaging in economic “blackmail,” warning that the threat of expanded sanctions could deepen the crisis rather than resolve it.

Former President Donald Trump, who has returned to the global stage with assertive rhetoric, emphasized the role of trade in diplomacy. He stated that “trade is great for settling wars” and expressed clear discontent with Russia’s resistance to peace talks. The U.S., meanwhile, has continued to increase its arms shipments to Ukraine through NATO partners, further fueling tensions with the Kremlin.

NATO’s U.S. ambassador confirmed that weapon deliveries are accelerating, describing the process as moving “with haste.” Russia’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, denounced the shipments, claiming they send “a signal to continue the slaughter and abandon the peace process.”

On the battlefield, Russia is incurring staggering losses. The UK Defence Secretary told Parliament that Russia has recently taken roughly 550 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory—an area larger than Greater Manchester—but at a devastating cost. Moscow’s military has failed to capture any major towns in recent months, including Pokrovsk, which Russian forces have unsuccessfully targeted for nearly a year.

According to the UK’s figures, Russian forces have suffered over 1 million casualties since the start of the war. This year alone, an estimated 240,000 Russian troops have been killed or wounded. Yet despite these figures, President Vladimir Putin shows no signs of backing down, continuing to push his campaign in Ukraine even as international pressure mounts.

As the 50-day deadline approaches, observers remain uncertain whether Russia will respond with diplomacy or defiance. The situation underscores the complex and volatile nature of modern geopolitical power struggles—where diplomacy, economic pressure, and military strategy all collide.