US President Donald Trump has shifted his tone toward Russian leader Vladimir Putin, expressing anger over Putin’s recent comments on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. In an exclusive conversation with NBC’s Kristen Welker on March 30, 2025, Trump revealed his frustration, threatening severe economic measures if Russia obstructs peace efforts in Ukraine. As reported by NBC, this marks a pivotal moment in US-Russia relations amid ongoing efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
Trump’s Anger Sparks Tariff Threats
During an early-morning call with Welker, aired on NBC’s Meet The Press, Trump said, “I was very angry, pissed off” about Putin questioning Zelensky’s legitimacy as Ukraine’s leader. Ironically, Trump himself has criticized Zelensky in the past, once calling him a “dictator” during a tense White House exchange. Now, Trump warns that if Russia derails negotiations to stop the bloodshed, he’ll impose “secondary tariffs on all oil coming out of Russia.” He elaborated, “If you buy oil from Russia, you can’t do business in the United States,” proposing tariffs ranging from 25% to 50%.
Stalled Peace Talks and Rising Tensions
Since taking office, Trump has pushed for a swift resolution to the over three-year-long Ukraine conflict. However, his administration has struggled to secure a breakthrough. Putin recently rejected a US-Ukrainian 30-day ceasefire proposal and suggested Zelensky’s removal as a condition for peace, a move Ukraine condemned as stalling tactics. Over the weekend, Russia launched a fresh assault on Kharkiv, further complicating negotiations. BBC reports indicate Ukraine accuses Moscow of prolonging the war intentionally.
US-Russia Dynamics Shift
Warming ties between Washington and Moscow since Trump’s return have emboldened Russia’s battlefield efforts, despite its faltering invasion. Putin, in power for 25 years, has repeatedly challenged Zelensky’s authority, especially after his initial term ended in May 2024. Ukrainian law suspends elections during major conflicts, a stance supported by Zelensky’s domestic rivals. Meanwhile, Trump insists he maintains “a very good relationship” with Putin, adding, “the anger dissipates quickly… if he does the right thing.”
Zelensky’s Plea for Pressure
In his Saturday address, Zelensky criticized Russia’s lack of response to a proposed unconditional ceasefire, stating, “There could already be a ceasefire if there was real pressure on Russia.” He thanked nations intensifying sanctions on the Kremlin. Earlier this week, both Moscow and Kyiv agreed in principle to a Black Sea truce, but Russia tied its implementation to sanctions relief from Ukraine’s allies, a condition yet unmet.
Author: Via AFP, Planet Today
По материалам: http://www.planet-today.com/2025/03/trump-furious-at-putin-over-ukraine-war.html