Key Takeaways:

• Trump expresses frustration with Putin’s comments questioning Zelenskyy's leadership.
• He threatens to impose secondary tariffs on Russian oil if a ceasefire is not reached.
• The Kremlin downplays Trump’s anger, stating they are still working on peace negotiations.

In a recent interview, President Donald Trump declared he was "very angry, pissed off" with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a notable shift in tone as diplomatic negotiations to end the war in Ukraine remain stagnant. Trump's frustrations stem from Putin's recent remarks that questioned the credibility of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and suggested the necessity for a transitional government in Ukraine. During an interview with NBC, Trump articulated his displeasure, stating, "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... I am going to put secondary tariffs on all oil coming out of Russia."

The proposed tariffs, reflecting a range of 25 to 50 percent, could significantly impact nations that purchase Russian oil, notably China and India, which are the largest importers of Russian crude. Analysts suggest that such tariffs aim to put economic pressure on Russia by penalizing third-party countries that facilitate its oil sales. In his phone call with NBC’s Kristen Welker, Trump underscored his frustration: "I was very angry, pissed off when Putin started getting into Zelensky’s credibility, because that’s not going in the right location." He emphasized that any delays in reaching a ceasefire could result in the imposition of these tariffs.

The Kremlin's response to Trump's remarks came swiftly. Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov asserted that Russia continues to engage with the U.S. regarding peace efforts, aiming to rebuild relations that were negatively impacted during previous administrations. "We are continuing to work with the American side, first of all, to build our bilateral relations," Peskov stated, while also reinforcing that Putin is still open to dialogue with Trump. Despite this, he acknowledged that the road to peace remains complex and lengthy.

Both leaders have faced mounting pressures, with Trump aiming to stabilize the volatile situation in Ukraine while Putin's military actions continue unabated. Recent strikes in Kharkiv have underscored the ongoing conflict, with Ukrainian officials criticizing Russia's drawn-out negotiations as a tactic to prolong hostilities. With calls for international pressure on Moscow to conclude peace talks, tensions remain high as the possibility of a breakthrough in negotiations seems uncertain.

For more detailed updates, please refer to the original articles from BBC, Reuters, and Forbes.