Trump expresses disappointment in Putin over Ukraine conflict

United States President Donald Trump has said he is “very disappointed” with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s failure to commit to a peace deal aimed at ending the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Speaking on the Scott Jennings radio show on Tuesday, Trump noted that despite their meeting in Alaska last month, Russia has intensified attacks on Kyiv instead of pursuing dialogue with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

“I’m very disappointed in President Putin, I can say that. We had a great relationship, I’m very disappointed,” Trump said when asked if he felt betrayed by Moscow’s actions.

The US leader, however, stopped short of announcing specific measures against Russia, even though a two-week deadline he had earlier given for a peace agreement is set to expire later this week.

Since the Alaska summit, Trump has oscillated between threatening sanctions and suggesting he might let the conflict “play out,” leaving Washington’s exact position unclear.

Asked later at the White House whether he had spoken to Putin again, Trump responded: “I have learned things that will be very interesting. In the next few days you’ll find out.” He insisted there would be “consequences” if Putin and Zelensky failed to meet.

Meanwhile, concerns are mounting over Russia’s growing ties with China. On Tuesday, Putin met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing ahead of a major military parade. North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un, whose troops are reportedly supporting Russia in Ukraine, was also in attendance.

Trump dismissed fears of a Russia-China alliance, saying: “We have the strongest military in the world by far and they would never use their military on us, believe me that would be the worst thing they could ever do.”

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, in a separate interview, criticised Moscow’s escalation. “Since Alaska, Putin has increased the bombing campaign in a despicable manner,” Bessent told Fox News. He confirmed that Washington is “examining all options” for a possible response this week.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022 and has continued to strain relations between Moscow and Western powers, with casualties mounting and no clear end in sight.