In a BBC interview released Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump said he was disappointed but not finished with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as efforts to broker a Ukraine ceasefire continue to stall.
Trump made the remarks just hours after announcing plans to send additional weapons to Ukraine, warning that Russia could face steep tariffs if a ceasefire is not reached within the next 50 days.
“I’m disappointed in [Putin], but I’m not done with him,” Trump told the BBC. He emphasized that his administration is actively working to end the conflict between Kyiv and Moscow.
Trump has recently criticized Putin publicly, accusing him of failing to push forward a peace deal, and condemned Russia’s ongoing military actions in Ukraine. In parallel, U.S. officials are reportedly exploring tighter sanctions on Russia’s oil sector, which has already faced extensive restrictions since the war began.
Now into its third year, the Russia-Ukraine conflict shows few signs of de-escalation. The U.S.’ decision to provide Ukraine with NATO-funded offensive weapons raises concerns over a potential intensification of the war.
The BBC interview also touched on the assassination attempt against Trump during a July 2024 campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Trump stated that he tries not to dwell on the incident too much.
