Initially, US President Donald Trump expressed dissatisfaction with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin due to failed ceasefire negotiations in Ukraine. However, within hours, his anger subsided as he stated that Putin is good and ‘won’t go back on his word.’ Trump, known for his inconsistent statements, ultimately declared trust in Putin’s ability to ‘do the right thing’ during ongoing peace talks aimed at ending the conflict. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump remarked about Putin: ‘I don’t think he’s going to go back on his word. You talk about Putin. I don’t think he’ll renege on his word. I’ve known him for a long time. We always got along well.’ Despite this, Trump reiterated he was ‘not pleased’ with Putin’s recent comments but added, ‘I think he’ll be good.’ When Trump criticized Putin, it was during an NBC News interview where he questioned the legitimacy and leadership of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Threatening harsh economic sanctions, Trump warned that if Russia does not agree to a ceasefire, he would impose ‘secondary tariffs’ up to 50% on countries continuing to buy Russian oil. These remarks mark the first time the White House under Trump has openly threatened such measures against Moscow, intensifying pressure on the Kremlin. Secondary tariffs refer to sanctions targeting third countries trading with Russia, primarily China and India, the largest importers of Russian oil. Acknowledging his strained relationship with Putin, Trump said, ‘The Russian president knows my irritation, but my anger can quickly fade…if he does the right thing.’ Although previously accused of being too lenient toward the Kremlin, this statement reflects a shift, as Trump seems to defend Ukraine’s position against Russian criticism of Zelenskyy. He emphasized that a leadership change would mean no agreement for a long time. Meanwhile, Trump criticized Zelenskyy for allegedly wanting to withdraw from the rare earth minerals deal, warning that doing so could lead to significant problems. Lastly, despite previous claims of resolving the Russia-Ukraine war immediately upon taking office, Trump admitted there is no specific timeline for meeting with Putin, stating, ‘There’s a psychological deadline. If I sense delays, I won’t be happy about it.’