Donald Trump feels mad at Russian President Vladimir Putin after trying for weeks to reach a ceasefire deal in Ukraine. Trump said he became angry when Putin criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. He warned he might charge a big 50% tax on any country that buys oil from Russia if Putin refuses to stop fighting.
These comments show Trump talking about Putin differently than before. Many European officials worried Trump seemed friendly with Putin during peace talks. For six weeks, Trump pushed Zelensky hard for many changes and mostly gave Putin what he wanted. This marks the first serious threat from America against Russia for slowing down peace efforts.
During a short phone call with NBC News, Trump expressed that he felt really upset when Putin attacked Zelensky's leadership abilities. Trump himself previously called the Ukrainian leader a dictator and demanded elections. Trump said changing leaders would make any peace deal take much longer to achieve.
Trump claimed the Russian government knows he feels angry, but added they share a positive relationship. He said his anger goes away fast if Putin does what Trump wants. Without a ceasefire agreement, Trump plans to add a 25% tax on Russian goods sold in America within a month.
The secondary taxes would hit countries still doing business with Russia at rates up to 50%. China and India buy the most Russian oil by far. After hearing the interview, Zelensky posted online that Russia keeps looking for excuses to make the war last longer. He said Putin has played the same game since 2014, when Russia took over Crimea.
Zelenskyy called the situation dangerous and asked for appropriate responses from America, Europe, and global partners who want peace. Trump mentioned he would talk to Putin later that week. Russia attacked Ukraine in February 2022 and currently holds about 20% of Ukrainian land.
More than 100,000 Russian military fighters have died as the Ukraine war enters its fourth year, according to data from BBC Russian and independent media. Ukraine last updated its casualty numbers in December 2024, with Zelensky stating that 43,000 Ukrainian soldiers and officers died. Western experts believe the real number is higher.
During the same NBC interview, Trump said he meant it when he talked about possibly seeking a third term as president, despite this being against the Constitution. He added that many people want him to do it but emphasized they have a long way to go. Trump also threatened heavy bombing against Iran if they refused a nuclear deal and said he would add secondary taxes there as well.
Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian stated his country would not enter direct nuclear talks with Washington, but indirect discussions might happen. He explained that they need America to prove they can build trust since broken promises have caused problems before.
These comments show Trump talking about Putin differently than before. Many European officials worried Trump seemed friendly with Putin during peace talks. For six weeks, Trump pushed Zelensky hard for many changes and mostly gave Putin what he wanted. This marks the first serious threat from America against Russia for slowing down peace efforts.
During a short phone call with NBC News, Trump expressed that he felt really upset when Putin attacked Zelensky's leadership abilities. Trump himself previously called the Ukrainian leader a dictator and demanded elections. Trump said changing leaders would make any peace deal take much longer to achieve.
Trump claimed the Russian government knows he feels angry, but added they share a positive relationship. He said his anger goes away fast if Putin does what Trump wants. Without a ceasefire agreement, Trump plans to add a 25% tax on Russian goods sold in America within a month.
The secondary taxes would hit countries still doing business with Russia at rates up to 50%. China and India buy the most Russian oil by far. After hearing the interview, Zelensky posted online that Russia keeps looking for excuses to make the war last longer. He said Putin has played the same game since 2014, when Russia took over Crimea.
Zelenskyy called the situation dangerous and asked for appropriate responses from America, Europe, and global partners who want peace. Trump mentioned he would talk to Putin later that week. Russia attacked Ukraine in February 2022 and currently holds about 20% of Ukrainian land.
More than 100,000 Russian military fighters have died as the Ukraine war enters its fourth year, according to data from BBC Russian and independent media. Ukraine last updated its casualty numbers in December 2024, with Zelensky stating that 43,000 Ukrainian soldiers and officers died. Western experts believe the real number is higher.
During the same NBC interview, Trump said he meant it when he talked about possibly seeking a third term as president, despite this being against the Constitution. He added that many people want him to do it but emphasized they have a long way to go. Trump also threatened heavy bombing against Iran if they refused a nuclear deal and said he would add secondary taxes there as well.
Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian stated his country would not enter direct nuclear talks with Washington, but indirect discussions might happen. He explained that they need America to prove they can build trust since broken promises have caused problems before.
