Donald Trump has expressed frustration and anger toward Russian President Vladimir Putin over stalled ceasefire negotiations in Ukraine. 

In an interview with NBC News, the former U.S. president said he was "very angry" and "pissed off" with Putin, particularly over his criticisms of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s credibility. 

Trump warned he would impose significant tariffs on nations purchasing Russian oil if a peace deal was not reached.

"If Russia and I cannot come to an agreement to end the bloodshed in Ukraine—and if I determine it’s Russia’s fault, which it might not be—I will enforce secondary tariffs on all Russian oil exports," Trump stated. 

He also hinted at a potential 50% tariff on goods entering the U.S. from nations that continue to buy oil from Russia, including major buyers like China and India.

This shift in tone marks a departure from Trump’s earlier approach, which had been criticized as accommodating toward Putin. 

European leaders had previously expressed concerns over Trump’s handling of peace talks, accusing him of pressuring Zelensky for concessions while appearing to favor Putin’s demands. 

However, in the interview, Trump emphasized his dissatisfaction with Putin’s comments about Zelensky, saying it derailed negotiations. "I was very angry when Putin attacked Zelensky’s credibility. That’s not a step toward making a deal," Trump said.

Trump also reaffirmed his belief in maintaining a functional relationship with Putin, adding that his anger "dissipates quickly if he does the right thing." 

However, he reiterated his readiness to escalate economic pressure if Russia failed to agree to a ceasefire.

Meanwhile, Zelensky responded on social media, accusing Putin of prolonging the conflict intentionally, drawing parallels to Russia’s behavior in 2014 during the annexation of Crimea. 

The ongoing war, which began with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has caused significant casualties on both sides. 

Independent estimates suggest over 100,000 Russian military deaths, while Ukraine has reported 43,000 casualties among its forces, though analysts suggest the actual figure may be higher.

In the same interview, Trump also touched on unrelated issues, including threats to bomb Iran over nuclear deal negotiations and hinted at the possibility of seeking a third presidential term, though the U.S. Constitution prohibits this.

Source: BBC

BDST: 1057 HRS, MAR 31, 2025
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