US President Donald Trump has expressed strong dissatisfaction with Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating that he is “very angry, pissed off” over Putin’s recent remarks about Ukraine’s leadership.
In a notable shift in tone towards Moscow, Trump told NBC that he was particularly frustrated by Putin’s questioning of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s credibility.
“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—which it might not be, but if I think it was Russia’s fault—I am going to put secondary tariffs on oil, on all oil coming out of Russia,” Trump stated.
He elaborated on the possible economic measures, saying, “Elevated sanctions on Russia would mean that if you buy oil from Russia, you can’t do business in the United States. There will be a 25% tariff on all oil, a 25 to 50-point tariff on all oil.”
Trump also mentioned that he plans to speak with Putin in the coming week, signaling potential diplomatic efforts but warning that Putin’s call for new leadership in Ukraine could prolong the war. “New leadership means you’re not gonna have a deal for a long time, right?” he said.
Reflecting on his reaction to Putin’s comments, Trump emphasized, “If I feel we’re in the midst of a negotiation, you could say that I was very angry, pissed off, when Putin started getting into Zelenskyy’s credibility, because that’s not going in the right direction, you understand?”
Trump’s remarks come amid ongoing criticism that his administration’s approach has been too lenient toward Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. While he has previously criticized Zelenskyy, calling him a “dictator” for not holding new elections, his latest comments suggest a harder stance on Russia.
The president also revealed that he had spoken with Putin “not long ago” and communicated his frustration, but added that despite his feelings, he still has “a very good relationship with him.”
During the same NBC interview, Trump also threatened severe consequences for Iran if it does not reach a deal with Washington over its nuclear program. “If they don’t make a deal, there will be bombing,” he warned, adding that secondary tariffs would also be imposed.
