U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed anger over comments made by Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding Ukraine’s leader, Volodymyr Zelensky.
Trump reacted strongly to Putin’s remarks about Ukraine being under external control and questioned Zelensky’s legitimacy as president.
During an early morning phone interview, Trump said he was “angry, pissed off” when Putin questioned Zelensky’s credibility. He made it clear that he did not appreciate the Russian leader stepping into the debate over Ukraine’s governance, especially when it came to Zelensky’s authority.
Trump’s reaction highlighted how sensitive the issue of Ukraine remains on the global stage.
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Putin, in his latest statement, reiterated his claim that Zelensky is not legally able to sign a peace deal. Under Ukraine’s constitution, elections cannot be held while the country is under martial law, which has been in place due to ongoing conflict.
This has led to debates over Zelensky’s legitimacy, with Russia using it as an argument against negotiating peace terms with Ukraine’s current leadership.
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Trump did not stop at just expressing his anger. He warned that if a peace deal is not reached and he believes Russia is responsible for delaying it, he would take serious action.
“If a deal isn’t made, and if I think it was Russia’s fault, I’m going to put secondary sanctions on Russia,” Trump said. He also mentioned that he would introduce a significant tariff on oil, ranging from 25 to 50 percent. These measures, if implemented, would place additional economic pressure on Russia.
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Trump made it clear that any country buying oil from Russia would face consequences. “Anybody buying oil from Russia will not be able to sell their product, any product, not just oil, into the United States,” he warned. This means that businesses and nations trading with Russia would have to choose between maintaining economic ties with Moscow or continuing to do business with the U.S.
Trump Acknowledges Personal Ties with Putin
Despite his tough stance on the issue, Trump emphasized that he and Putin share a “very good relationship.” His remarks suggest that while he is willing to take strong action against Russia if necessary, he still values his personal connection with the Russian leader.
The U.S. has been pushing for a peace deal to end the war between Russia and Ukraine, which has lasted for over three years. The conflict has caused significant destruction and loss of life, with both sides struggling to find common ground. While Trump’s threats of sanctions indicate a strong position against Russia’s role in the conflict, his acknowledgment of his relationship with Putin adds an interesting dynamic to his approach.
With tensions remaining high, Trump’s words signal that he is watching Russia’s actions closely and is prepared to act if he believes they are obstructing peace efforts.
