Trump slams Putin over Ukraine, signals new sanctions
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In a sharp shift, Trump criticizes Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine and discusses coordinated defense efforts with Kiev and Berlin, signaling a tougher US approach.
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President Donald Trump speaks to reporters on board Air Force One, en route from Joint Base Andrews, Md., to Morristown Municipal Airport in Morristown, N.J., Friday, July 4, 2025 (AP)
US President Donald Trump has indicated that new sanctions on Russia may be imminent, expressing deep frustration over a recent phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Speaking to reporters while en route from Washington, Trump said he was “very unhappy” with the call, directly accusing Putin of showing no willingness to halt the violence.
“It’s a very tough situation,” Trump said. “I told you I was very unhappy with my call with President Putin. He wants to go all the way, just keep killing people, it’s no good.”
After months of restrained rhetoric, the president’s latest remarks marked a shift in tone. Trump confirmed that further sanctions were under consideration, noting, “We talk about sanctions a lot. He understands that it may be coming.”
It is worth noting that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio cautioned on June 25 that the imposition of US sanctions on Russia could effectively shut down any opportunity for diplomatic engagement with Moscow.
'He’s a professional,' Trump says of Putin
In a separate media exchange, Trump acknowledged that Russia has thus far been able to weather Western punitive measures. “He has been able to handle sanctions,” Trump said, referring to Putin. While he noted that the Russian president “is not thrilled” about the prospect of additional penalties, Trump added, “He’s a professional.”
The comments reflect a nuanced but firm recalibration of Trump’s approach to Moscow, which has drawn scrutiny amid the intensifying Russian military campaign in Ukraine.
Trump also disclosed that he held what he described as a “very strategic call” on Friday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The two discussed efforts to reinforce Ukraine’s air defenses in the wake of what officials say was Russia’s most extensive missile and drone barrage since the war began.
Zelensky later confirmed that the leaders agreed to work together to improve Ukraine’s defense capabilities, particularly in countering aerial threats.
German Patriots to Ukraine?
In parallel, Trump said he also spoke with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to explore the possibility of Germany providing Patriot missile systems to Ukraine. While no final decision had been reached, Trump noted that Merz “feels they have to be protected.”
Trump concluded by suggesting that his policy toward Russia may now surpass his hardline posture toward other adversaries. “I think I’ve been tougher on Russia than I’ve been on Iran or almost anybody,” he said.
This comes shortly after Putin reiterated earlier this month that the ongoing war "is a direct consequence of the policies of Western states that for many years have ignored Russia's security interests, created an anti-Russian foothold in Ukraine, condoned violations of the rights of Russian-speaking citizens, and are now pursuing a policy of prolonging hostilities by feeding the Kiev regime with various modern weapons."
He reaffirmed Russia’s principled stance on potential peace agreements, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive and long-term settlement that addresses the root causes of the conflict and reflects the “new territorial realities” on the ground.
