Trump Expresses Anger Towards Putin Over Ceasefire Negotiations in Ukraine
Donald Trump has expressed being “very angry” and “pissed off” with Russian President Vladimir Putin after weeks of failed ceasefire negotiations in Ukraine.
In a recent NBC News interview, the US president criticized Putin for undermining Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s credibility and warned of a 50% tariff on countries purchasing Russian oil unless a ceasefire agreement is reached.
Last week, Putin proposed the possibility of a UN-run government in Ukraine to organize new elections and initiate peace talks.
Trump’s remarks mark a shift in his approach towards Putin. Over the past six weeks, Trump had publicly pressured Zelensky for concessions, including the sharing of Ukraine’s rare minerals with the US. On Sunday, Trump accused Zelensky of trying to back out of this agreement, warning of “big, big problems” if that were the case.
Trump has long been accused of being too favorable towards Putin, but his comments on Sunday seemed to signal a change. It was the first time Trump had seriously threatened Russia with consequences for stalling ceasefire talks, effectively putting pressure back on Moscow.
In the interview, Trump expressed frustration over Putin’s attacks on Zelensky’s leadership, calling it a “wrong move.” He added that while his anger was known to Putin, they shared a “very good relationship” that would improve if Russia followed through on a ceasefire.
“If Russia and I cannot reach a ceasefire agreement, and if I believe Russia is to blame, I will impose secondary tariffs on all oil and other products coming out of Russia,” Trump stated, specifying a 25% tariff. These secondary tariffs would target countries still doing business with Russia, including major buyers like China and India.
Trump also mentioned Zelensky’s renegotiation of a US-Ukraine minerals deal, warning that the Ukrainian leader would face “big problems” if he backed out. The deal, which was expected to be signed in February, had stalled following a tense meeting between the two leaders at the White House.
Trump noted Zelensky’s desire to join NATO, something he called unrealistic, adding, “He understands he will never be a NATO member.”
Later, Trump softened his tone towards Putin, suggesting that he didn’t believe the Russian leader would backtrack on his commitments. “I’ve known him a long time, and we’ve always gotten along well,” Trump said, adding that he planned to speak with Putin later in the week.
Meanwhile, Zelensky continued to criticize Russia’s actions, claiming that Putin was simply looking for excuses to prolong the war. He emphasized the need for a united response from the US, Europe, and other global partners seeking peace.
Trump also revisited his earlier comments about running for a third term, stating he was “not joking” but acknowledging the long road ahead. He reiterated his earlier stance on Iran, warning of military action if the country failed to reach a nuclear deal.