US President Donald Trump expressed frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying he is “disappointed but not done” with him, as the Ukraine war enters its third year with no ceasefire in sight.
In an interview with the media, Trump said:
“I’m disappointed in him, but I’m not done with him. But I’m disappointed in him.”
Trump revealed that he had held multiple conversations with Putin about ending the war, but progress repeatedly stalled.
“We’ll have a great conversation. I’ll say: ‘That’s good, I think we’re close to getting it done,’ and then he’ll knock down a building in Kyiv,” Trump remarked, referencing Russia’s continued strikes on the Ukrainian capital.
Since taking office, Trump has pursued a ceasefire agreement between Russia and Ukraine, but recent escalations have increased his frustration. On Monday, the president announced a new round of US weapons supplies to Ukraine, including Patriot missile defense systems, and issued a 50-day deadline for Russia to begin peace talks or face additional sanctions.
Putin Unfazed by US Pressure
Despite Trump’s tougher stance, sources close to the Kremlin told Reuters that Putin remains committed to continuing the war until he believes Western powers—including the US—engage on his terms.
“Putin thinks no one has seriously engaged with him on the details of peace in Ukraine—including the Americans—so he will continue until he gets what he wants,” one source said anonymously.
Another source noted:
“Putin values the relationship with Trump and had good discussions with [real estate developer] Witkoff, but the interests of Russia come above all else.”
Trump’s increasingly hardline approach marks a shift from his earlier efforts at diplomacy and his historical rapport with Putin. The coming weeks will test whether Trump’s threats of sanctions and military support can alter Moscow’s resolve—or escalate tensions further.