Trump Shows Growing Frustration with Putin Over Ukraine Conflict, But Next Steps Remain Unclear

Washington, D.C. — President Donald Trump, who took office in January 2025 pledging to resolve the Ukraine war within a day, is displaying increasing exasperation with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ongoing aggression. Yet, it remains uncertain whether this frustration will lead to a tougher U.S. stance against the Kremlin.

Trump, who has often spoken glowingly of Putin in the past, has frequently clashed with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, most notably during a tense Oval Office confrontation in March. However, recent weeks have seen a shift in the president’s tone, as stalled peace talks and Russia’s unrelenting military campaign appear to test his patience.

In a Sunday post on Truth Social, Trump issued an uncharacteristic critique of Putin after Russia unleashed a devastating barrage of drones on Ukraine. “Putin is after ALL of Ukraine,” he warned, adding that such ambitions could “bring Russia to its knees.” The remarks, a rare rebuke of the Russian leader, come as Republican lawmakers press Trump to take a harder line against Moscow.

“I’ve always had a good rapport with Putin, but something’s off,” Trump wrote. “He’s acting totally out of control!”

The Kremlin brushed off the criticism, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov describing the situation as a “moment of high emotion” on Monday. That same night, Russia launched its largest drone attack on Ukraine since the war began in 2022, deploying 355 drones, according to Kyiv. The assault followed Russian strikes that left 13 dead the previous day, underscoring the conflict’s brutality.

Amid intensified diplomatic efforts, including a recent prisoner exchange and direct talks between Russia and Ukraine, European leaders expressed cautious hope that Trump’s irritation might signal a policy shift. Speaking in Vietnam, French President Emmanuel Macron suggested Trump is beginning to see through Putin’s claims of seeking peace.

“Trump’s recent statements reflect impatience, even anger,” Macron said. “The hope is that this translates into decisive action.”

Macron called for “much stronger sanctions” to pressure Russia into ending the three-year conflict, emphasizing that the United States’ global credibility is on the line.

Despite his criticism of Putin, Trump continued to target Zelensky, who had earlier warned that U.S. inaction only emboldens Russia. “Zelensky’s careless rhetoric isn’t doing his country any favors,” Trump posted. “He needs to watch his words, or he’ll make things worse.”

Trump’s foreign policy record offers few hints about his next moves. While he often highlights his deal-making skills, pointing to meetings with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his first term, those efforts produced limited results. Similarly, his current administration has yet to secure major breakthroughs on Ukraine, Iran’s nuclear ambitions, or the ongoing war in Gaza.

As the Ukraine conflict persists, observers are left questioning whether Trump’s sharp words signal a genuine shift in strategy or simply reflect the fiery rhetoric that has defined his presidency. With diplomatic stakes high and the war showing no signs of abating, the world awaits clarity on Washington’s next steps.