President Donald Trump unleashed a furious tirade against Russian President Vladimir Putin, declaring himself “very angry” and “p***ed off” over the latest developments in Ukraine.
Trump’s fury erupted after Putin demanded the establishment of a transitional government in Ukraine—a move that would oust President Volodymyr Zelensky from power. Speaking to NBC, Trump made it clear he wasn’t having any of it.
“I was very angry, p***ed off, when Putin started getting into Zelensky’s credibility and started talking about new leadership in Ukraine,” he fumed. The former president, who has repeatedly promised he could broker peace in the war-torn country “within 24 hours,” also issued a warning: if he determines that Russia is at fault in ongoing peace negotiations, he would slap secondary tariffs on all Russian oil exports.
Trump’s Fiery Threat to Russia
In the blistering phone call, Trump floated the idea of punishing Russia economically if a deal isn’t reached under his terms. “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—which it might not be—but if I think it was, I am going to put secondary tariffs on oil, on all oil coming out of Russia,” he warned.
The statement marked a dramatic shift in Trump’s usually friendly rhetoric toward Putin. Though he has maintained that he and the Russian leader share a “very good relationship,” his frustration was on full display. However, he quickly added that “the anger dissipates quickly… if [Putin] does the right thing.”
Internal GOP Divisions Over Ukraine
Trump’s remarks come as the Republican Party remains deeply divided on the issue of Ukraine. While some of his allies have advocated for cutting U.S. military aid to Kyiv, others have called for Zelensky’s resignation in hopes of accelerating a peace agreement. Senior GOP officials have publicly stated that Zelensky would likely lose an election if Ukraine were to hold one—a notion Trump has echoed, labeling the Ukrainian president a “dictator” who is “refusing to have elections” and has done “a terrible job.”
Tensions within the party have only escalated since last month, when Trump and Vice President JD Vance reportedly berated Zelensky during a heated White House meeting for failing to show enough gratitude for U.S. assistance in the war. The incident was described as a humiliating dressing-down that left the Ukrainian leader visibly shaken.
Putin’s Escalation and Ukraine’s Desperation
As world leaders scramble to negotiate a peace deal, Russia has only intensified its attacks. On Saturday, Moscow’s forces targeted a military hospital in the northeastern city of Kharkiv, unleashing a brutal wave of overnight strikes. The assault underscored Ukraine’s urgent need for continued Western support—something Trump has repeatedly questioned.
Despite his recent outburst against Putin, Trump remains deeply critical of President Joe Biden’s handling of the conflict. Throughout his campaign, he has repeatedly insisted that the war never would have happened if he were still in office. His pledge to “end the war in 24 hours” has become a cornerstone of his reelection pitch, though he has never outlined the specifics of how he would accomplish it.
The Call That Shook the World
With Trump expected to speak with Putin later this week, all eyes are on what the former president will say next. His latest tirade suggests that while he may still see himself as a dealmaker, his patience with the Russian leader is wearing thin. Whether his threats of economic retaliation will have any impact remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Trump’s unpredictable rhetoric is keeping the world on edge.
