Efforts by President Donald Trump to push a negotiated end to the war in Ukraine took a hit this week as he publicly criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for interfering with ongoing discussions. Trump said he was furious after Putin questioned whether Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has the authority to make a deal.
In response, Trump threatened new economic measures that would hit Russian oil exports hard. He warned that if Russia blocks progress toward peace, the United States will respond with tariffs ranging from 25% to 50%.
Trump walks back "pissed off at Putin" statement he allegedly made to NBC News.
"Disappointed, in a certain way" that Putin considers Zelensky "not credible." Zelensky was called a dictator, multiple times, by Trump. pic.twitter.com/fmQFaYn0yB— Alex Christoforou (@AXChristoforou) March 31, 2025
Trump also signaled that foreign governments buying Russian oil could be banned from accessing U.S. markets. He said, “If you buy oil from Russia, you can’t do business in the United States,” in reference to how serious the consequences could be.
The U.S. had helped broker a Black Sea ceasefire agreement between the two countries, but violations were reported soon after the deal was signed. Each side blames the other, and the fragile situation now appears even more unstable.
Trump says he’s “very angry” and “pissed off” over Putin’s remarks criticizing Zelensky’s credibility.
Follow: @AFpost pic.twitter.com/fhl5oQpulW
— AF Post (@AFpost) March 30, 2025
Putin’s remarks included a call for Ukraine to install a temporary government to oversee future elections. He claimed such a step would allow for legitimate peace negotiations. Trump sharply disagreed, saying that kind of demand derails the current momentum.
Zelenskyy, who has been rallying support from European leaders, continues to call for more military and financial backing. Meanwhile, Trump’s stance has shifted from past criticism of Zelenskyy toward holding Putin responsible for the latest setback.
Putin boasted last week that his forces are making daily gains. He described Russian troops as liberating territory and advancing steadily — a statement that clashed with peace efforts and U.S. diplomacy.
