US President Donald Trump expressed his frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin over comments made about Ukraine and its President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In an interview with NBC News on Sunday, Trump revealed he was “angry” after Putin criticized Zelenskyy’s legitimacy to sign peace agreements.
Putin had questioned Zelenskyy’s credibility, claiming the Ukrainian president lacked the authority to negotiate a peace deal due to the expiration of his term, which Putin believes invalidates his position. Under Ukraine’s martial law, elections cannot take place, which further fuels Putin’s stance.
Trump Threatens Sanctions on Russia Amid Failed Ceasefire Talks and Growing Tensions
In the interview, Trump emphasized that if a peace deal is not reached and if Russia is seen as responsible for the failure, he would impose secondary sanctions on Russia. Trump specifically threatened a tariff of 25 to 50 percent on all oil transactions, warning that any country buying oil from Russia would be barred from selling any goods into the US.
Despite these threats, Trump maintained that his relationship with Putin remained strong, acknowledging their past cooperation even while expressing discontent with Putin’s actions regarding Ukraine.
Trump Warns of Sanctions on Russia as Ukraine Conflict Escalates with Drone StrikesTrump’s comments follow the US government’s push for a comprehensive ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, which has been ongoing for over three years.
However, Russia rejected the US’s proposal for a full 30-day halt in fighting, and a more limited ceasefire on the Black Sea has become uncertain due to stringent conditions imposed by the Kremlin. This has led to further tensions between the US and Russia, as well as pressure on Ukraine to agree to a ceasefire, despite concerns over Russia’s long-term intentions.
Russian Drone Strikes Kharkiv Amid Growing Tensions, Increasing Pressure on Ukraine’s Resistance
Amid the political developments, Russian drones targeted Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, on Saturday night. The attacks struck a military hospital, a shopping center, and residential areas, resulting in two civilian deaths and dozens of injuries.
The Ukrainian government condemned the deliberate targeting of the military hospital, which had been treating wounded service members. This incident is part of a broader pattern of ongoing Russian aggression, as Kyiv faces increasing pressure from Moscow’s military offensives.
The recent wave of drone attacks comes as Russia appears to be preparing for a major offensive aimed at increasing pressure on Kyiv and strengthening its position in ceasefire negotiations. Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy reported that over the past week, Russia launched over 1,000 drones and missile attacks across multiple regions, causing significant damage and casualties.
Despite the mounting pressure, Zelenskyy accused Russia of deliberately prolonging the war and using ceasefire talks as a strategy to gain more territorial control. Meanwhile, Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed to have downed several Ukrainian drones and taken control of a village in Donetsk, though these reports remain unverified.