Trump is taking the America First agenda to the world stage. And no one is strong enough to stop him.
Now President Trump lit up this foreign leader for a stunning act of betrayal.
Trump Unleashes Fury on Putin Over Ukraine Stalemate
For the first time, President Trump has openly slammed Russian President Vladimir Putin, admitting he’s “very angry” and “pissed off” as efforts to halt the war in Ukraine hit a wall. This sharp pivot comes as Trump works to broker peace, marking a dramatic shift from his earlier praise of the Kremlin leader.
In a candid phone interview with NBC News on Sunday, Trump vented his frustration over stalled cease-fire talks.
His ire flared after Moscow tacked on new demands to a U.S.-backed plan aimed at curbing attacks in the Black Sea and on energy infrastructure—a move that’s clearly tested the American president’s patience.
Tariffs Loom as Trump Blasts Putin’s Power Play
Trump’s anger zeroed in on a report that Putin demanded a transitional government in Ukraine to oust President Volodymyr Zelensky, even suggesting Ukraine’s generals take matters into their own hands, per the AFP.
Once a cheerleader for Putin’s “genius,” Trump—who previously blamed Ukraine for Russia’s 2022 invasion—now seems fed up.
“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 declared to NBC.
He doubled down: “That would be 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.” He gave Putin a one-month deadline to strike a cease-fire deal or face the economic squeeze.
Despite his past coziness with Moscow’s narrative, Trump also rebuked Putin’s attacks on Zelensky, saying they were “not going in the right location.” It’s the first time he’s admitted Putin might be dragging his feet on ending the conflict.
A Fragile Rapport and Rising Tensions
Still, Trump insisted he’s got a “very good relationship” with Putin, suggesting his fury could fade if the Russian leader “does the right thing.” The two are slated to talk again this week, with Trump eager to nudge the cease-fire forward, he told NBC.
The Trump administration is racing to deliver on his campaign vow to end the war. Last week, the U.S. notched two cease-fire wins to shield energy grids and the Black Sea trade route.
But Moscow shattered both pacts within hours, then piled on fresh conditions—like demanding Europe ease sanctions on Russian firms—leaving the deals in tatters.
Across the aisle, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) fired a shot at Trump, accusing him of chasing an “illusory peace” with Putin. “Bowing to Moscow’s demands only shreds America’s credibility, leaves Ukraine under threat, weakens our alliances and emboldens our enemies,” McConnell warned.
Meanwhile, Baltic defense leaders sounded their own alarm. Estonia’s Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur told the Financial Times, “We all understand that when the war in Ukraine will be stopped, Russia will redistribute its forces very quickly.”
He added, “That means also the threat level will increase significantly very quickly,” signaling fears that a pause could let Russia regroup to menace NATO allies like Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
