WASHINGTON, D.C. – After Russia unleashed a massive attack on Ukraine recently, which killed a dozen people, President Trump seems to be growing more frustrated with Russian President Vladimir Putin. On Russia and Ukraine, the State Department said President Trump is still working towards a cease-fire agreement
“President Trump and Secretary Rubio have said several times this is not a war that can be solved through the military and through violence,” said State Department spokesperson, Tammy Bruce. “That it has to be done diplomatically.”
Not too long ago, the President and Putin had a phone call, where the president claims Russia and Ukraine would begin ceasefire talks. Over these past few days, the President has shared a couple of comments on his Truth Social account and to reporters seemingly frustrated at President Putin following one of the deadliest missile attacks to hit Ukraine in months. The attack killed around 12 people and injured dozens.
“I’m not happy with what Putin’s doing,” said President Trump over the weekend. “He’s killing a lot of people, and I don’t know what the hell happened to Putin. I’ve known him a long time, always gotten along with him, but he’s sending rockets into cities and killing people, and I don’t like it at all. OK? We’re in the middle of talking and he’s shooting rockets into Kiev and other cities. I don’t like it at all.”
The Kremlin called Trump’s comments “emotional overload”. On Tuesday, the President shared this on his Truth Social account: “What Vladimir Putin doesn’t realize is that if it weren’t for me, lots of really bad things would have already happened to Russia, and I mean REALLY BAD. He’s playing with fire!”
Some said the President has had a more sympathetic view with Putin and more critical one of Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Just a few months ago, Zelenskyy and Trump had a tense Oval Office meeting where the two had an exchange back and forth. Zelenskyy was asked to leave the White House following that meeting. The pair have since met and tensions have seemed to cool, but the recent change in tone towards Putin has been noticeable.
“President Putin is getting clear about the president’s frustration,” said Bruce. “We are calling for restraint and urge all parties to avoid further escalation.”
President Trump is still critical of Zelenskyy. He also wrote in a Truth Social post over the weekend,: “President Zelenskyy is doing his Country no favors by talking the way he does. Everything out of his mouth causes problems, I don’t like it, and it better stop.”
