 "Trump says 'very angry, pissed off' with Putin. Image- AFP")
In a notable shift in tone, US President Donald Trump said Sunday he was “very angry, pissed off” with Russian President Vladimir Putin as Washington pushes to end the war in Ukraine, NBC reported.
According to NBC’s Kristen Welker, Trump personally called her to express frustration over Putin questioning the future of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy—despite Trump himself having raised similar doubts in the past.
Welker shared details of the early-morning call on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” quoting Trump directly.
Trump said that “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” then he would impose “secondary tariffs on all oil coming out of Russia.”
Welker said Trump told her “I was very angry, pissed off” when Putin started making comments about Zelensky’s credibility and talking about new leadership in Ukraine.
Trump has been pushing for a speedy end to the more than three-year war since taking office, but his administration has failed to reach a breakthrough despite talks with both sides.
Putin rejected a joint US-Ukrainian plan for a 30-day ceasefire, and on Friday suggested Zelensky be removed from office as part of the peace process, further toughening Moscow’s negotiating position and angering Kyiv.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsPutin proposed Friday to temporarily put Ukraine under external governance as part of efforts to reach a peaceful settlement, in remarks that reflected the Kremlin leader’s determination to achieve his war goals.
In televised remarks broadcast early Friday, Putin reaffirmed his claim that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whose term expired last year, lacks the legitimacy to sign a peace deal. Under Ukraine’s constitution it is illegal for the country to hold national elections while it’s under martial law.
Putin claimed that any agreement that is signed with the current Ukrainian government could be challenged by its successors and said new elections could be held under external governance.
With inputs from agencies