U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his frustration and anger toward Russian President Vladimir Putin, marking the first time he has directly criticized the Kremlin while attempting to broker a resolution to the war in Ukraine.
In a phone interview with NBC News on Sunday, March 30, Trump appeared exasperated over delays in cease-fire negotiations after Moscow imposed additional conditions before agreeing to a U.S.-backed deal to curb attacks in the Black Sea and on energy infrastructure. Trump, who has previously praised Putin as a “genius” and even suggested Ukraine bore some responsibility for the 2022 Russian invasion, took a markedly different tone.
On Sunday, March 31, Trump lashed out over reports that Putin demanded a transitional government in Ukraine that would remove President Volodymyr Zelensky. According to AFP, Putin even suggested that Ukraine’s military leadership should oust Zelensky themselves.
“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,” Trump told NBC.
“That means if you buy oil from Russia, you can’t do business in the United States,” he continued. “There will be a 25% tariff on all oil, a 25- to 50-point tariff on all oil.”
Trump warned that these tariffs could be implemented within a month if a cease-fire agreement is not reached.
Although Trump previously backed some of Moscow’s claims about Zelensky’s legitimacy, he pivoted on Sunday, condemning Putin’s rhetoric against the Ukrainian leader as “not going in the right direction.” In the past, Trump had carefully avoided criticizing Putin, often describing him as a “savvy” leader and echoing Russian narratives about the war.
This marked the first instance of Trump openly acknowledging that Putin may be intentionally stalling efforts to end the conflict.
Nevertheless, Trump emphasized that he still maintains a “very good relationship” with Putin and suggested his frustration would subside if Putin “does the right thing.”
The two leaders are expected to speak again this week in an effort to advance cease-fire talks, Trump told NBC. His administration has been pushing for an end to the war as part of his campaign promise, securing two cease-fire agreements last week to halt attacks on energy grids and the Black Sea trade route.
However, Russia violated both agreements within hours and subsequently introduced new demands, including a call for Europe to lift multiple economic sanctions on Russian businesses.
