Donald Trump is an expert negotiator, but sometimes things do not go as quickly as he would like. President Trump reacted angrily to Putin’s remarks about Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. Trump has threatened secondary tariffs on Russian oil if peace talks fail due to Russia’s actions. Despite tensions, Trump stated that he does not believe Putin will go back on his word given their long relationship. Peskov, the Kremlin’s spokesperson, described peace talks as a “time-consuming process,” emphasizing the ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Trump’s Frustration with Putin Reaches New Heights
As Ukraine peace talks stalled, President Donald Trump expressed his displeasure with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump is outraged by Putin’s criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s leadership during the delicate peace process. The unexpected tension between Trump and Putin highlights the complexities of international diplomacy as the administration seeks to bring an end to the bloody conflict that has raged since 2022. Trump described Putin’s remarks as “not going in the right direction,” a rare public rebuke of the Russian leader from a president who has previously maintained cordial relations with him.
Trump’s frustration appears to stem from his belief that Putin’s criticism of Zelenskyy will jeopardize the peace process. The administration has invested significant diplomatic capital in bringing both sides to the negotiating table, with Trump personally participating in the discussions. As negotiations progressed, the diplomatic effort’s fragility became more apparent, with both Russia and Ukraine maintaining firm positions on territorial integrity, security guarantees, and post-conflict arrangements. The tensions highlight Trump’s difficult balancing act as he seeks to establish himself as an effective peace broker.
Putin is playing with fire is he thinks he can double-cross President Trump. The US has the power to cripple the Russian economy and bring it to its knees.
Trump says he’s ‘very angry’ and ‘pissed off’ at Putin during an NBC News interview https://t.co/oYmwuCtrc9 @nbcnews
— Nile Gardiner (@NileGardiner) March 30, 2025
Economic Threats as Diplomatic Power
In a significant increase in diplomatic pressure, Trump has threatened economic sanctions if Russia does not cooperate in the peace process. The president specifically mentioned the possibility of imposing secondary tariffs on Russian oil exports if he determines Russia is to blame for the breakdown in negotiations. This economic threat is a powerful weapon against the Russian economy, which remains heavily reliant on energy exports. The proposed secondary tariffs would target not only direct oil imports from Russia but also third-party purchasers of Russian oil, potentially wreaking havoc on Moscow’s finances.
“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 — but if I think it was Russia’s fault, I am going to put secondary tariffs on oil, on all oil coming out of Russia.” – Donald Trump
Despite his threats, Trump expressed confidence in Putin’s reliability as a negotiating partner. Drawing on their longstanding personal relationship, Trump stated that he did not believe Putin would break any promises made during the peace process. This combined approach to pressure and personal diplomacy has been characteristic of Trump’s international dealings. particularly with Russia. The administration appears to believe that the combination of economic threats and personal engagement will provide Russia with enough motivation to make the necessary concessions for a peace agreement.
President Trump ‘pissed off’ at Putin, threatens stiff tariffs on oil over Ukraine war demands | Ronny Reyes, New York Post
President Trump said he was “very angry” and “pissed off” at Russian President Vladimir Putin — the first time he’s directly criticized the Kremlin as he… pic.twitter.com/np81td0lYV
— Owen Gregorian (@OwenGregorian) March 31, 2025
Russia’s Reasonable Response
The Kremlin has taken a measured diplomatic response to Trump’s frustration. Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov acknowledged the complexities of the peace talks, describing them as a “time-consuming process” while reaffirming Russia’s commitment to finding a solution. Without directly addressing Trump’s economic threats, Peskov emphasized ongoing efforts to repair US-Russia bilateral relations, which had been strained during the previous administration. This careful response suggests Moscow is attempting to de-escalate tensions while maintaining its position in the negotiations.
“We are continuing to work with the American side, first of all, to build our bilateral relations, which were badly damaged during the previous (U.S.) administration.” – Dmitry Peskov
The diplomatic maneuvering between Washington and Moscow occurs at a critical juncture in the Ukraine conflict. After years of bloodshed and destruction, both sides face mounting domestic and international pressure to reach an agreement. Securing a peace agreement would be a significant foreign policy achievement for Trump, validating his self-proclaimed deal-making abilities on the global stage. Putin’s calculus is more complex, weighing territorial ambitions against the economic and military costs of a long-term conflict.
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