United States President Donald Trump has expressed his frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin, marking a shift in his tone as Washington seeks to resolve the ongoing war in Ukraine.
During an early-morning phone conversation with NBC’s Kristen Welker, Trump said he was “very angry, pissed off” with Putin’s recent comments about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s leadership.
Speaking on NBC’s “Meet The Press” on Sunday, Welker quoted Trump directly: “If Russia and I are unable to make a deal on stopping the bloodshed in Ukraine, and if I think it was Russia’s fault… I am going to put secondary tariffs on all oil coming out of Russia.”
Trump’s anger stems from Putin questioning Zelensky’s credibility and suggesting new leadership in Ukraine. The US President stated, “I was very angry, pissed off” over Putin’s remarks, noting that Putin is aware of his feelings. However, Trump added that his anger “dissipates quickly… if he does the right thing,” emphasizing his continued good relationship with the Russian leader.
Since taking office, Trump has pushed for a quick resolution to the conflict, which has lasted more than three years. However, his administration has not achieved a breakthrough despite ongoing negotiations. Putin recently rejected a joint US-Ukrainian proposal for a 30-day ceasefire and suggested that removing Zelensky from office could be part of the peace process.
While Trump has maintained that he has a good relationship with Putin, his threats to halt US support for Kyiv have strengthened Russia’s position on the battlefield. As a result, Russian forces have gained ground, capturing a village just seven kilometers from the Dnipropetrovsk region’s border, marking the first time they have approached the region since their offensive began in 2022.
Over the weekend, Ukraine reported fresh Russian attacks on Kharkiv, a northeastern border city. At least six strikes hit the area between Saturday night and Sunday, damaging a military hospital and killing two people in a residential building, according to Ukrainian officials.
Amid the escalating violence, Putin has repeatedly questioned Zelensky’s legitimacy as Ukraine’s president. Since Zelensky’s initial five-year mandate ended in May 2024, elections have been suspended due to the ongoing military conflict, a move backed by his domestic opponents.
In his evening address on Saturday, Zelensky rallied Ukraine’s allies to increase pressure on Russia, criticizing the lack of a ceasefire despite America’s proposal. “For too long now, America’s proposal for an unconditional ceasefire has been on the table without an adequate response from Russia,” Zelensky said. He added that more international pressure could lead to peace, thanking countries that have already imposed sanctions on the Kremlin.
This past week, both Moscow and Kyiv expressed support for a potential Black Sea truce following discussions with US officials. However, Russia stated that the deal would not take effect until sanctions against it were lifted.
Explaining his proposed tariffs, Trump told NBC: “If you buy oil from Russia, you can’t do business in the United States.” He specified that there would be a “25 per cent tariff on all oil, a 25 to 50 point tariff on all oil,” though he did not elaborate further.
According to UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo, targeting oil buyers could affect major importers like China and India. “We need to see, however, what will be announced over the coming days,” Staunovo told AFP.
While Trump’s stance against Putin’s actions in Ukraine signals a tougher approach, his longstanding relationship with the Russian leader remains a point of political debate. Despite his criticism of Zelensky, calling him a “dictator” during a previous confrontation at the White House, Trump has maintained that resolving the conflict remains a priority.