President Donald Trump has expressed intense frustration with Russian leader Vladimir Putin amid faltering negotiations to end the Ukraine war, marking a dramatic shift in his typically accommodating stance toward Moscow. In a revealing interview, Trump admitted being “very angry” and “pissed off” with Putin for undermining Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s credibility during delicate peace talks.
The U.S. president issued a stark economic ultimatum, threatening to impose crushing 50% tariffs on nations purchasing Russian oil if Moscow fails to agree to a ceasefire. “If Russia and I can’t make a deal to stop the bloodshed – and if I determine Russia is at fault – I’ll slap secondary tariffs on all Russian oil exports,” Trump declared. The proposed measures would particularly target major Russian oil importers like China and India with steep 25-50% duties on goods entering U.S. markets.
This hardened position surprises observers after weeks where Trump appeared to favor Putin’s demands, including his recent Oval Office pressure on Zelensky to make concessions. The sudden rhetorical shift places Moscow squarely on notice, with Trump warning: “New leadership means you’re not gonna have a deal for a long time” – a reference to Putin’s attacks on Zelensky’s legitimacy.
Ukrainian officials remain skeptical of Russian intentions. Zelensky responded to Trump’s comments by accusing Putin of employing familiar delay tactics, noting “Russia continues looking for excuses to drag this war out” just as it has since invading Crimea in 2014. He called for unified Western pressure to counter Moscow’s stalling.
The public rift emerges as the conflict enters its fourth year with staggering casualties. Independent analyses estimate over 100,000 Russian military deaths, while Ukraine last reported 43,000 troop losses in late 2024 – figures Western analysts consider undercounted. Russia currently occupies about 20% of Ukrainian territory.
Trump maintained he retains “a very good relationship” with Putin that could quickly mend “if he does the right thing.” The two leaders plan to speak later this week as ceasefire negotiations reach a critical juncture. Meanwhile, Trump’s unexpected threat of severe economic sanctions signals potential turbulence ahead for U.S.-Russia relations.
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