- Trump’s Warning to Putin: U.S. President Donald Trump expressed strong anger toward Russian leader Vladimir Putin over comments about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, threatening to impose heavy tariffs on Russian oil if Russia is found responsible for prolonging the war.
- Ongoing Conflict in Ukraine: Despite U.S. efforts for a 30-day ceasefire, Russia rejected the proposal and continued its attacks, including recent missile strikes in Kharkiv that killed civilians and wounded soldiers.
- Ukraine’s Stand Against Russia: Zelensky urged allies to increase pressure on Russia, stating that the war could end if stronger sanctions were applied. However, Russia insists that certain sanctions must be lifted before agreeing to a peace deal.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he was “very angry, very upset” with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, according to NBC. This marks a big change in tone as Washington tries to end the war in Ukraine.
NBC’s Kristen Welker said Trump called her to express his anger at Putin for questioning the leadership of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump himself has also criticized Zelensky in the past. Speaking on NBC’s “Meet The Press,” Welker shared what Trump told her over the phone early in the morning.
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“If Russia and I cannot agree on stopping the war in Ukraine, and if I believe Russia is to blame… I will put extra tariffs on all oil coming from Russia,” Trump said. He added that he was “very angry and upset” about Putin’s recent comments about Zelensky’s leadership and the idea of replacing him.
Trump has been pushing for a quick end to the war, which has lasted more than three years, but his administration has not yet been able to reach a peace deal. Putin recently rejected a U.S.-Ukraine plan for a 30-day ceasefire and suggested Zelensky should be removed from office as part of the peace process. Trump told NBC that Putin knows he is angry but said he still has “a very good relationship with him.” He also said, “My anger fades quickly… if he does the right thing.”
Since Trump returned to office, relations between the U.S. and Russia have warmed. His threats to stop supporting Ukraine have made Russia stronger on the battlefield as it continues its invasion. Ukraine has accused Russia of dragging out peace talks while continuing its attacks.
On Saturday night, six missile strikes hit the northeastern city of Kharkiv, wounding soldiers in a military hospital and killing at least two civilians, according to Ukrainian officials. Russian forces also captured a village just seven kilometers (four miles) from Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region. This is their latest advance in a slow-moving campaign that has lasted for months.
Putin, who has been in power for 25 years, has repeatedly questioned Zelensky’s legitimacy as Ukraine’s leader. Zelensky’s first five-year term ended in May 2024, but under Ukrainian law, elections are paused during major wars.
Trump himself has had troubled relations with Zelensky, once calling him a “dictator” and arguing with him on live television at the White House last month.
In his Saturday night speech, Zelensky urged Ukraine’s allies to put more pressure on Russia to stop the war.
“The U.S. has offered a ceasefire for a long time, but Russia has not accepted it,” Zelensky said. Ukraine and Russia had agreed to a Black Sea truce after talks with U.S. officials, but Russia said it won’t take effect unless some sanctions are lifted.
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Explaining his tariff plan, Trump told NBC: “If you buy oil from Russia, you won’t be able to do business in the U.S.” He said there would be a 25% tariff on all oil and possibly even a 50% tariff, but did not give more details.
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