President Donald Trump is escalating his pressure campaign on Russian President Vladimir Putin after new complications emerged in the effort to bring an end to the war in Ukraine. Trump voiced his anger following remarks from Putin suggesting that Ukraine needs a transitional government to move forward with any peace deal.
The former president said he was “pissed off” by Putin’s comments about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and warned that if Russia is seen as the cause of a breakdown in talks, he will impose tough economic penalties targeting Russian oil exports.
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 laid out plans for tariffs that could range from 25% to 50% on oil exports from Russia. He added that countries doing business with Russian oil could face restrictions on access to U.S. markets.
Putin’s call for a new administration in Ukraine comes just as both sides were under pressure to uphold a ceasefire agreement in the Black Sea region. The deal, brokered with help from U.S. officials, has already been weakened by violations that both Russia and Ukraine blame on each other.
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
Trump, who had previously criticized Zelenskyy’s leadership as “dictator without elections,” has now turned his focus toward Putin’s recent actions. Despite the sharp tone, Trump said he still maintains a good relationship with Putin and expects to speak with him again soon.
Meanwhile, Russian attacks over the weekend intensified the already fragile situation. Strikes on Dnipro and Kryvyi Rih left civilians dead and injured, while a drone assault in Kharkiv killed two people and wounded more than 30 others, according to Ukrainian reports.
Putin praised his troops’ advances on the battlefield last week and insisted they were steadily gaining ground. His comments stood in contrast to the ceasefire discussions that continue under international supervision.
Trump said any country that chooses to keep buying Russian oil despite new tariffs would not be allowed to conduct business in the United States.
