President Donald Trump has expressed his growing frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin, declaring he is "very angry" and "pissed off" following Putin's remarks questioning the credibility of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. This shift in tone reflects Trump's mounting impatience with the stalled peace negotiations and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Speaking in an interview with NBC, Trump indicated he would impose secondary tariffs ranging from 25% to 50% on Russian oil if he feels Moscow is at fault for blocking peace efforts.

Trump's commentary was triggered by Putin's suggestion for a transitional government in Ukraine, which Trump viewed as a dismissal of Zelensky's leadership. "You could say that I was very angry... when Putin started getting into Zelensky's credibility," Trump stated during the interview, underscoring his disdain for Russia's attempts to undermine Zelensky.

Continuing his statements, Trump warned potential consequences for Zelensky should he hesitate to move forward with a deal regarding Ukraine’s mineral rights. "Zelensky might have big problems if he backs out," Trump cautioned, emphasizing the significant stakes involved.Source

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov responded to Trump's comments, insisting that Russia remains open to dialogue and is still in the process of discussing possible solutions regarding the war. "We are working to implement some ideas linked to the Ukrainian settlement. This process is time-consuming,” Peskov remarked. Despite Trump's threats, Russia has so far maintained a cautious approach to Trump's overtures. The Kremlin has yet to fully commit to a wider ceasefire endorsed by Trump, citing a need for greater assurance and specific terms before doing so.

While discussing the complex dynamics, Finnish President Alexander Stubb claimed during his meeting with Trump that the U.S. leader will play a pivotal role in brokering peace, stating, "He’s the only person who can broker a ceasefire because he’s the only one that Putin is afraid of." Trump’s urgency to reach a diplomatic resolution stands in stark contrast to the realities on the ground, where both Russian and Ukrainian forces have continued hostile engagements with little regard for proposed ceasefires. Trump's stance represents a potential shift towards a more aggressive U.S. policy aimed at countering Russian actions in the region.

As the conflict stretches into its fourth year, the specter of escalating sanctions looms, although Trump has faced skepticism regarding the potential effectiveness of such measures against countries like China and India, which heavily rely on Russian oil Source.

Both leaders are under pressure to find common ground amid a landscape fraught with evolving geopolitical tensions, and the outcome of their negotiations could significantly influence the future of U.S.-Russia relations.