Donald Trump expressed his anger towards Vladimir Putin after the Russian president questioned the credibility of Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In a recent phone call with NBC News, Trump said he was "very angry" and "pissed off" by Putin’s remarks, which suggested that Zelenskyy’s leadership could be challenged by future governments. Trump stated that such comments were "not going in the right direction" in terms of negotiations for peace in Ukraine.
This reaction is notable because Trump has generally spoken positively about Putin in the past, especially regarding efforts to end the ongoing war in Ukraine. Last month, however, Trump criticized Zelenskyy, calling him a "dictator" and making claims about his low approval ratings in Ukraine, which have been disputed.
During the interview, Trump mentioned that if Russia does not negotiate to stop the violence in Ukraine, he would impose secondary tariffs on Russian oil. He stated that anyone buying oil from Russia would face a 25% tariff, which would severely restrict trade with the United States.
Trump also noted that he maintains a good relationship with Putin, despite his anger. He plans to speak with the Russian leader again soon.
In addition to discussing Ukraine, Trump touched on other topics during the interview. He hinted at the possibility of seeking a third term in office, despite the constitutional limitations, and mentioned the potential for tariffs on Iran if they do not agree to terms regarding their nuclear program. He also addressed a recent national security blunder involving a group chat and confirmed that no one would be fired over the incident.
Furthermore, Trump reaffirmed his interest in annexing Greenland and stated that military action was "not off the table," though he believed it might be possible to achieve this without force.
As these developments unfold, Trump’s statements reflect a shift in his approach to international relations, particularly regarding Ukraine and Russia. His willingness to criticize Putin marks a change in tone that could impact future negotiations and diplomatic efforts.