By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
WASHINGTON/MOSCOW/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – U.S. President Donald J. Trump said Sunday he was “very angry” and “p….. off” that his Russian counterpart suggested removing Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Trump’s comments were remarkable as he had earlier called Zelenskyy “a dictator” who had “done a terrible job.”
However, on Sunday, Trump stressed he was angry with Putin for attacking Zelenskyy’s credibility and threatened to impose a 50 percent tariff on countries buying Russian oil if he did not agree to a ceasefire.
“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… I am going to put secondary tariffs… on all oil coming out of Russia,” he told NBC News television.
The comments marked a change in Trump’s tone toward Putin, underscoring the president’s frustration over the complexities of a war that he said he could end in a day. “They’re dying, Russians and Ukrainians. I want them to stop dying. And I’ll have that done — I’ll have that done in 24 hours,” he previously said.
He added, “You could say that I was very angry, p….. off, when… Putin started getting into Zelensky’s credibility because that’s not going in the right location. New leadership means you’re not gonna have a deal for a long time.”
Trump’s comments followed televised remarks Friday in which Putin made clear that he believes Zelensky lacks legitimacy because his term expired last year.
FIVE YEARS
Ukrainians elect presidents for five-year terms, and Zelensky’s term was to have ended in May 2024.
However, according to Ukraine’s constitution, it is not legal to hold national elections during a period of martial law. Ukraine is under martial law because of the Russian invasion, which began in February 2022.
Putin contended that future governments could challenge a peace agreement brokered by Zelenskyy. The Russian leader also called for new elections supervised by the international community.
Despite his anger over Putin’s comments, Trump made clear that the Kremlin knew of his anger but noted that he had “a very good relationship” with the Russian leader and that “the anger dissipates quickly… if he does the right thing.”
At least some allies have criticized white House policy changes for ushering in a world more amenable to Moscow. Observers say it has weakened the alliance opposed to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Trump envoy Steve Witkoff recently claimed that regions of Ukraine annexed by Moscow after the invasion were part of Russia.
Earlier, President Trump said that Ukraine “can forget” about joining the NATO military alliance. He also declined to provide U.S. security guarantees to Kyiv as part of a future peace accord or a deal that would give the U.S. access to mineral deposits in Ukraine.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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