In a revealing 20-minute phone interview with the BBC, U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed his growing frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin, declaring himself “disappointed but not done” with the Kremlin leader.
The interview comes just hours after Trump announced a new arms package for Ukraine and warned of punitive tariffs on Russia if a ceasefire deal is not reached within 50 days. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump made clear his patience with Putin is wearing thin.
Asked whether he still trusts the Russian president, Trump responded bluntly: “I trust almost no one.”
The BBC conversation, initiated by Trump himself following behind-the-scenes talks about marking the one-year anniversary of the assassination attempt on him at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, spanned global diplomacy, military alliances, and reflections on personal resilience.
The former real estate mogul turned president also revealed a growing disillusionment with Putin’s wartime conduct. “He talks nice, but then bombs everybody in the evening,” Trump said, echoing earlier remarks at Joint Base Andrews.
However, despite his disappointment, Trump insisted the door to diplomacy remains open. “We’re not done yet,” he added. “There’s still a way forward, but he’s got to stop this madness.”
