‘He didn't fool me' - how Trump changed his tone on Putin and the war in Ukraine
Many of Trump's comments about Putin have reflected his anger about the US investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 election that dominated his first term.
'Let me tell you, Putin went through a hell of a lot with me,' he said in February, seated next to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine in the Oval Office.
But in recent weeks, Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with his Russian counterpart over the lack of progress on a ceasefire in Ukraine, as the New York Times has reported.
'I am disappointed in President Putin,' Trump said today NZT, announcing his plans to impose 'very severe' tariffs that would hurt Russia if it does not agree to a ceasefire deal in the next 50 days. 'The talk doesn't mean anything.'
'My conversations with him are always very pleasant,' Trump said of Putin. 'And then the missiles go off that night.'
The changes in Trump's public remarks illuminate the challenges he has faced in fulfilling one of his main campaign pledges: that he would swiftly end the conflict.
Trump now acknowledges the war in Ukraine has been 'difficult' to end.
While he was running for president, Trump said he could settle the war in Ukraine in 24 hours, ending the largest land war in Europe since 1945 before his first day in office.
The promise was implausible, but he kept doubling down.
After he took office, Trump said he had been speaking 'figuratively'. By May, Trump was telling Zelenskyy and other European leaders that Russia and Ukraine would have to find a solution to the war themselves.
The war is still raging, and Trump's early message has changed dramatically.
'It's more difficult than people would have any idea,' Trump said at the Nato summit last month. 'Vladimir Putin has been more difficult. Frankly, I had some problems with Zelenskyy.'
While Trump previously expressed scepticism about devoting American resources to the conflict, he told reporters last week that it was necessary to bolster Ukraine's defences. He resumed the delivery of US weapons to the country that had been temporarily paused.
'They have to be able to defend themselves,' he said. 'They're getting hit very hard. Now they're getting hit very hard. We're going to have to send more weapons, defensive weapons, primarily, but they're getting hit very, very hard. So many people are dying in that mess.'
Anna Kelly, a White House spokesperson, said that Trump had always been consistent on foreign policy and blamed former President Joe Biden for the prolonged war in Ukraine.
Trump 'will always put America first, and he wants peace in Ukraine and around the world,' Kelly said in a statement. After a review 'to ensure all foreign military aid aligns with American interests, the President decided to send Ukraine defensive munitions to help stop the killing in this brutal war.'
Since the resumption of US military aid, Putin has escalated his attack, again striking cities and towns across central and western Ukraine.
According to people close to the Kremlin, Putin is now convinced that his military could overpower Ukraine's in the months to come, aiming for a strategic victory in the war that has lasted 40 months and led to hundreds of thousands of casualties within his military.
Trump is now sharply expressing his displeasure with Putin.
During the 2024 campaign, Trump repeatedly expressed optimism that he could work with the Russian leader.
'It's a smart thing' to talk to Putin, Trump said in October when asked whether he talked to Putin after his first term. 'If I'm friendly with people, if I can have a relationship with people, that's a good thing.'
After his re-election, Trump seemed to side with Russia in the conflict.
He scolded Zelenskyy for being an ingrate and asking for more military support.
He sent his envoys to Saudi Arabia to negotiate a peace deal in Ukraine with Putin's surrogates — all without input or consent from Zelenskyy, a US ally.
In March, Trump said he was confident Putin wanted to find a path to peace, even though the Russian leader was continuing to bomb Ukraine. 'I believe him,' Trump said. 'I think we're doing very well with Russia.'
But his tone has shifted in recent weeks.
After a July 3 call with Putin, Trump complained to reporters that their conversation did not lead to 'progress'.
The next day, Russia assaulted Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities with the largest number of drones and missiles launched since the beginning of the war.
'I'm not happy with President Putin at all,' Trump said on July 7.
Last week, after reversing the pause on US military aid, Trump further expressed his frustration over Putin's recalcitrance.
'We get a lot of bulls*** thrown at us by Putin, if you want to know the truth,' Trump told reporters during a Cabinet meeting.
Today, he again suggested the Russian President has been duplicitous: 'He has fooled a lot of people. He fooled Clinton, Bush, Obama, Biden.'
But Trump said that he would be an exception to what he sees as the list of American presidents whom the Russian leader outmanoeuvred.
'He didn't fool me,' Trump said.
This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
Written by: Minho Kim
Photographs by: Erin Schaff
©2025 THE NEW YORK TIMES
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NZ Herald
5 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Round three - United States and China hold economic talks as trade truce nears end
The Trump Administration has been trying to win concessions from many countries before an August 1 deadline for reimposing tariffs announced in April. Those levies were suspended in order to reach trade deals. Over the last week, the Trump Administration has announced deals with some of America's biggest trading partners in quick succession. Last week the US and Japan finally agreed to a deal that included a 15% tariff on Japanese imports and a pledge from Japan to invest US$550 billion in the US. Today, Trump announced that he had also reached a deal with the European Union, whose economies rely on exports to the US. The deal would put a 15% tariff on many European exports, including cars. One of the biggest unknowns is what will happen with China, which remains one of America's largest source of imports. After a tit-for-tat period of tariffs and retaliation, the two nations have come to something of an uneasy truce after talks in Geneva in May, and in London in June. Today, before he met with European officials, Trump implied that some kind of trade arrangement with China might be close at hand. 'We just struck a deal with Japan as you know, and we're very close to a deal with China,' he said. This will be the first meeting between the countries without an imminent crisis, like the tariff standoff or China's economically crippling ban on rare earth exports this year. Trade experts said the list of potential topics for discussion was long, ranging from Trump's push to get China to stop the flow of fentanyl to the US, to America's concerns about its purchases of Russian and Iranian oil, and recent exit bans that have prevented US citizens from leaving China. US officials appear to be looking forward to more ambitious trade talks in the months to come. Those could include Chinese purchases of American products, steps to open the Chinese market and, potentially, Chinese investment in the US. They are also likely seeking to lay the groundwork for a potential meeting between Trump and Xi Jinping, the Chinese leader, this year. Administration officials are considering a trip to Beijing before a meeting of Asian and Pacific countries in South Korea in October or potentially connecting Trump and Xi on the sidelines of an international meeting. Michael Pillsbury, a former government official who has advised the Trump Administration on China, said this would be Trump's sixth summit meeting with Xi. Each of those summits had a minimum of two hours of dialogue, and Trump went prepared with specific dealmaking requests, he said. 'The President feels it's better to deal face to face,' he said. Trade experts are also wondering whether US technology controls or an agreement to transfer ownership of TikTok may be on the negotiating table. On CNBC last week, Howard Lutnick, the Secretary of Commerce, said that the US had submitted a proposal to China for transferring ownership of TikTok to American companies, and that the Administration was waiting for the Chinese response. The topic was 'not officially' part of the trade talks, he said, 'but unofficially, of course'. Tensions between the US and China started to spiral after Trump announced his 'Liberation Day' tariffs in early April. China was the only country to immediately retaliate, matching Trump's tariffs of 34% with 34% tariffs on American products. Beijing also set up a licensing system to restrict exports of seven rare earth elements that are processed almost exclusively in China and used in electric cars, smart bombs and other high-tech devices. Trump then responded by ratcheting up tariffs on Chinese products to a minimum of 145%, which brought much of the trade between the countries to a halt. The previous rounds of negotiations secured a temporary truce that included China's relaxing its restrictions on shipments of valuable rare earth minerals and magnets needed by US manufacturers. In return, US officials agreed to roll back limits on exports of US products and technology, including ethane and airplane parts, as well as the proposed visa restrictions. US tariffs on Chinese imports were scaled back to 30%, while China has 10% tariffs on American products. The truce is scheduled to expire on August 12, after which tariffs would rise by 10%. However, Bessent has been optimistic that the truce could be extended. In an interview on the Fox Business Network last week, Bessent said that 'trade is in a good place' with China. He added that he hoped to begin having broader discussions with his counterparts about rebalancing the Chinese economy and encouraging China to curb purchases of Russian and Iranian oil. Bessent said China was in a manufacturing slump and faced a residential real estate market crisis. He argued Beijing must focus on building a consumer economy. 'They can't export their economic problems to the rest of the world; they need to solve them,' Bessent said. US companies continue to have a rash of criticisms about doing business in China, including the country's newly established rare earth licensing system. The processing time for licences is long, American firms say, and China requests proprietary and sensitive business information as part of the applications. In a survey released this month, members of the US-China Business Council said strained relations and tariffs between the two countries remained their biggest concerns. But they also said Chinese policies favouring domestic companies were eroding confidence in doing business in the country. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. Written by: Alan Rappeport and Ana Swanson ©2025 THE NEW YORK TIMES
NZ Herald
5 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Economies race to avoid steeper tariffs before Friday, US and China hold talks tomorrow in Sweden
Where do other US trade talks stand? South Korea: Extra pressure Seoul is racing to reach a deal with Washington, as Tokyo's success in landing an agreement has 'amped up the pressure for South Korea', a government source told AFP. Local media reported that Seoul was preparing to propose more than US$100 billion in investment as part of a broader agreement, with expected participation by major firms such as Samsung and Hyundai Motor. The South Korean Government did not confirm this. South Korean officials have outlined proposals to deepen collaboration in sectors like shipbuilding, semiconductors, and batteries. National Security Adviser Wi Sung Lak has told reporters that the two countries are in 'the final and most crucial phase of negotiations' to avert Trump's proposed 25% duty. India: Cautious optimism Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal told Bloomberg Television last week that he was optimistic his country could reach an agreement with the US to avert Washington's 26% tariff threat. Goyal insisted there were not any sticking points in the US-India relationship or in trade talks and clarified that immigration rules - including those around H-1B visas for skilled workers - had not come up in negotiations. Despite Goyal's remarks, local media reported the prospects of an interim deal before August 1 had dimmed. Taiwan: Working hard Taiwanese Premier Cho Jung Tai said last week that officials are 'working hard' on negotiations, amid worries that an unfavourable tariff level could hit the self-ruled island's economy. Vice-President Hsiao Bi Khim said Taipei's negotiating team was 'working almost 24 hours a day to achieve trade balance and Taiwan's industrial interests, and even to further deepen co-operation'. Canada, Mexico: Deal unclear Although Canada and Mexico were spared from Trump's 'reciprocal' tariffs announced in April, goods from both countries entering the US generally face a separate 25% duty if they fall outside a North American trade pact. This figure stands to jump to 30% for Mexico come August 1, while the level for Canada was set at 35%. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said her Administration was 'doing everything' possible to avert the duties and that she would speak with Trump if necessary to try to reach a pact. Trump told reporters at the weekend there was no deal with Canada so far. Brazil: Political nature Brazil is girding for a virtual trade embargo on its planes, grains, and other goods if Trump's threatened 50% tariff on its exports takes effect on August 1. The US runs a trade surplus with Latin America's biggest economy, which was not originally expected to face steeper tariffs under Trump's 'reciprocal' duties plan. Trump has not attempted to hide the political motivation in targeting Brazil, citing a judicial 'witch hunt' against his right-wing ally, former president Jair Bolsonaro, when he unveiled the tariff rate. The political nature of the spat makes a last-minute deal appear less likely. Tariff categories Here is a summary of duties Trump has introduced in his second term. Global tariffs US 'reciprocal' tariffs - imposed under legally contentious emergency powers - are due to jump from 10% to various steeper levels for a list of dozens of economies. The hikes were to take effect on July 9 but Trump postponed them days before imposition, marking a second delay since their shock unveiling in April. A 10% 'baseline' levy on most partners, which Trump imposed in April, remains in place. Certain products like pharmaceuticals, semiconductors and lumber are excluded from Trump's 'reciprocal' tariffs but may face separate action under different authorities. This has been the case for steel, aluminium, and soon copper. Gold and silver, alongside energy commodities, are also exempted. Canada, Mexico Canadian and Mexican products were hit by 25% US tariffs shortly after Trump returned to office, with a lower rate for Canadian energy. Trump targeted both neighbours over illegal immigration and fentanyl trafficking, also invoking emergency powers. Products entering the United States under the USMCA North American free trade pact, covering large swathes of goods, are expected to remain exempt - with Canadian energy resources and potash, used as fertiliser, to still face lower rates. China focus Trump has also taken special aim at China. The world's two biggest economies engaged in an escalating tariffs war this year before their temporary pullback. The countries imposed triple-digit duties on each other at one point, a level described as a trade embargo. After high level talks, Washington lowered its levies on Chinese goods to 30% and Beijing slashed its own to 10%. This pause is set to expire on August 12, and officials will meet for further talks tomorrow in the Swedish capital of Stockholm. The US level is higher as it includes a 20% tariff over China's alleged role in the global fentanyl trade. Beyond expansive tariffs on Chinese products, Trump ordered the closure of a duty-free exemption for low-value parcels from the country. This adds to the cost of importing items like clothing and small electronics. Autos, metals Trump has targeted individual business sectors too, under more conventional national security grounds, imposing a 25% levy on steel and aluminium imports which he later doubled to 50%. The US President has unveiled plans for a 50% tariff on copper imports starting August 1 as well and rolled out a 25% tariff on imported autos, although those entering under the USMCA can qualify for a lower rate. Trump's auto tariffs impact vehicle parts too, but new rules ensure automakers paying vehicle tariffs will not also be charged for certain other duties. He has ongoing investigations into imports of lumber, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals and critical minerals that could trigger further duties. Legal challenges Several legal challenges have been filed against the tariffs Trump invoked citing emergencies. The US Court of International Trade ruled in May that the President had overstepped his authority, but a federal appeals court has allowed the duties to remain while it considers the case. If these tariffs are ultimately ruled illegal, companies could possibly seek reimbursements. -Agence France-Presse
NZ Herald
6 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Thailand and Cambodia truce talks due but strikes continue
'They need to demonstrate genuine intent, and we will assess that during the meeting.' Cambodia's defence ministry spokeswoman Maly Socheata said today was 'the fifth day that Thailand has invaded Cambodia's territory with heavy weapons and with the deployment of a lot of troops'. In Thailand's Surin city – 30km from the border and a hub of evacuees fleeing the fighting – 58-year-old Lamduan Chuenjit shared her leader's scepticism. 'I hope the negotiation goes well today and ends with a ceasefire,' the cleaner told AFP while sweeping a shopfront. 'But I do wonder how trustworthy Cambodia is.' On the eve of the talks, Thailand's military said Cambodian snipers were camping in one of the contested temples, and accused Phnom Penh of surging troops along the border and hammering Thai territory with rockets. It said fighting was ongoing at seven areas along the rural border region, marked by a ridge of hills surrounded by wild jungle and agricultural land where locals farm rubber and rice. 'The situation remains highly tense, and it is anticipated that Cambodia may be preparing for a major military operation prior to entering negotiations,' the Thai military statement read. On Saturday, Trump said he made a late-night call to both leaders, who agreed to 'quickly work out' a truce. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said the summit, which will be mediated by Malaysian leader Anwar Ibrahim, was also organised 'with the participation of China' – a key trade and political ally. 'The purpose of this meeting is to achieve an immediate ceasefire, which was initiated by President Donald Trump and agreed to by both Prime Ministers of Cambodia and Thailand,' Hun Manet said. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said US officials 'are on the ground in Malaysia to assist these peace efforts', while Anwar told domestic media he would focus on securing an 'immediate ceasefire'. Both sides point the finger Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn marked his 73rd birthday today, but a notice in the country's Royal Gazette said his public celebrations scheduled for Bangkok's Grand Palace have been cancelled amid the strife. Trump has threatened both countries with eye-watering levies in his global tariff blitz unless they agree to independent trade deals – saying he would 'look forward' to signing them once 'peace is at hand'. Both sides have agreed to a truce in principle, while accusing the other of undermining peace efforts and trading allegations about the use of cluster bombs and targeting of hospitals. Thailand says eight of its soldiers and 14 civilians have been killed, while Cambodia has confirmed eight civilian and five military deaths. The Thai military said it has returned the bodies of 12 Cambodian soldiers killed in combat. More than 138,000 people have fled Thailand's border regions, while about 80,000 have been driven from their homes in Cambodia. With the skirmish inflaming nationalist sentiments, Thailand warned its citizens to 'refrain from any kind of violence, whether in speech or action' against Cambodian migrants living in the country. – Agence France-Presse
