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Tensions Flare Between Trump and Putin Over Ukraine Conflict

In one of his sharpest public criticisms of Russian President Vladimir Putin to date, former U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he is “not happy” with Putin’s role in the Ukraine war, accusing the Russian leader of misleading the U.S. and showing no genuine intent to end the bloody conflict.

“He’s killing a lot of people — his soldiers and their soldiers,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting held at the White House. “It’s now up to 7,000 people dying per week. And I’m not happy with Putin. I’m very unhappy with him.”

Trump’s comments mark a significant escalation in his rhetoric toward the Kremlin leader, just days after a Pentagon decision to temporarily pause a weapons shipment to Ukraine, and a day after Trump indicated that the United States would “send some more weapons” to help Ukraine defend itself.

Confusion Over U.S. Weapons Shipments

When pressed by reporters about who ordered the pause in the shipment, Trump responded dismissively, turning the question back on the press:

“Why don’t you tell me?” he said, half-jokingly, while seated beside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

The brief pause raised eyebrows in Washington, as military aid to Ukraine remains a politically sensitive issue, especially as the war enters its third year. With bipartisan support eroding and international observers warning about the war's growing toll, every U.S. policy move is under intense scrutiny.

Blaming the Past: Biden and Obama in the Crosshairs

True to form, Trump also laid partial blame for the current crisis at the feet of Presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama, suggesting that their past foreign policy decisions “emboldened” Putin to invade Ukraine in February 2022.

“This war should have never happened,” Trump said. “It turned out to be a lot tougher than Putin thought — mostly because of all the American weapons that went to Ukraine.”

According to U.S. defense officials, since the start of the war, the U.S. has delivered more than $60 billion in military and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine — including long-range missile systems, anti-tank weapons, and armored vehicles.

A Chilly Phone Call With Putin

Trump revealed that his most recent call with Putin — which took place on July 3 and lasted nearly an hour — left him “very disappointed.” While the White House initially described the call as routine, Trump gave it a darker tone later that day, telling reporters:

“I’m very disappointed with the conversation I had today with President Putin, because I don’t think he’s there. I don’t think he’s looking to stop the war in Ukraine. And that’s too bad.”

He further claimed that Putin often projects charm and diplomacy, but the substance is lacking:

“We get a lot of bulls--- thrown at us by Putin,” Trump said. “He’s very nice all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless.”

Rhetoric or Strategy?

Trump’s evolving stance on Russia comes at a politically charged time, as he eyes a return to the White House in 2025. While he has frequently been criticized for being too soft on Putin, these recent comments suggest a more confrontational posture ahead of the presidential election.

Foreign policy analysts say Trump’s rhetoric could reflect a broader effort to rebrand his stance on Russia — showing strength while attempting to distinguish himself from Biden’s more traditional diplomatic approach.

What’s Next for U.S.–Russia Relations?

As the Ukraine war grinds on with no end in sight, and U.S. domestic politics continue to shift, the path forward for U.S.–Russia relations remains uncertain. While Trump criticizes Putin’s aggression, he has also offered little in the way of alternative strategies for ending the conflict beyond vague calls for negotiation and “common sense diplomacy.”

Whether these fiery statements will translate into meaningful policy changes — should Trump return to office — remains to be seen.