Trump says he's ‘not done with' Putin
Hours earlier, Trump announced his support for the delivery of Patriot missile systems and other weapons to Ukraine, funded by European NATO allies. He also threatened new import tariffs on Russia and any nations purchasing its exports unless the conflict in Ukraine is resolved within 50 days.
In a phone interview with the BBC, Trump was asked about his current stance toward Putin. 'I'm disappointed in him, but I'm not done with him. But I'm disappointed in him,' he said.
Despite the heightened rhetoric, Moscow signaled it remains open to dialogue. Senior Russian negotiator Kirill Dmitriev said Trump, unlike his predecessor Joe Biden, 'is trying to understand Russia's lawful interests,' which he said leaves room for a relationship based on mutual respect and cooperation between the two nations.
The Russian government has stated on many occasions that it will not compromise on its core objectives regarding Ukraine, although it prefers to achieve them through diplomatic means. Moscow continues to view the conflict as a NATO-orchestrated proxy war against Russia and considers it an existential threat.
For months, Kiev and its European supporters have pressed Washington to step up sanctions against Russia and accelerate weapons deliveries to Ukraine. Trump's announcement came after a meeting on Monday with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
While neither Trump nor Rutte provided specific details about future arms supplies, media reports indicate that European countries will initially provide weapons from their own stockpiles, with plans to replenish them through US purchases.
German magazine Der Spiegel described the announcement as 'smaller than many had hoped' in Washington and across European capitals. Meanwhile, Russian Deputy Security Council Chairman Dmitry Medvedev dismissed Trump's statement as 'a theatrical ultimatum' that Russia 'didn't care' about.
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