Trump Unleashes Fury on Putin: ‘I’m Pissed Off’ at Russian Leader

In a stunning development that has Washington buzzing, President Donald Trump has publicly admitted he’s “very angry” and “pissed off” at Russian President Vladimir Putin—marking a dramatic first-time direct criticism of the Kremlin leader as tensions over Ukraine peace negotiations intensify.

The explosive comments came during a revealing NBC News phone interview on Sunday, March 31, where Trump appeared visibly frustrated with Putin over stalled cease-fire talks, a sharp contrast to his previous praise of the Russian president as a “genius.”

From “Genius” to “Pissed Off”: Trump’s Relationship Rollercoaster with Putin

Trump’s relationship with Putin has always been complicated, with the American president previously lauding the Russian leader and even suggesting Ukraine was partially responsible for the 2022 Russian invasion. This stunning reversal has political insiders questioning what finally pushed Trump over the edge.

According to sources close to the White House, the breaking point came when Putin called for a transitional government in Ukraine that would remove President Volodymyr Zelensky from power—with the Russian leader even suggesting Ukraine’s generals should forcibly remove Zelensky themselves.

“If Russia and I are unable to make a deal on stopping the bloodshed in Ukraine, and if I think it was Russia’s fault — which it might not be — but if I think it was Russia’s fault, I am going to put secondary tariffs on oil,” Trump declared in the interview, his voice reportedly rising with emotion.

Trump’s Bold Tariff Threat That Could Cripple Russia’s Economy

In perhaps his most aggressive stance against Putin to date, Trump outlined a punishing financial threat: “That would be that if you buy oil from Russia, you can’t do business in the United States. There will be a 25% tariff on all oil, a 25- to 50-point tariff on all oil.”

The president explicitly warned that these severe economic punishments would be implemented within just one month if Russia fails to reach a cease-fire agreement—a timeline that has sent shockwaves through international energy markets.

This dramatic power play comes after Russia broke two US-brokered cease-fire agreements within hours of their implementation last week, agreements designed to protect energy infrastructure and the vital Black Sea trade route.

The Shocking Pivot on Zelensky

In a surprising reversal, Trump—who earlier this year had questioned Zelensky’s legitimacy, seemingly supporting Moscow’s position—now condemned Putin’s attacks on the Ukrainian president, saying such words were “not going in the right location.”

Political analysts suggest this apparent flip-flop reflects Trump’s growing frustration with Putin’s negotiation tactics and public acknowledgment that the Russian leader appears to be deliberately delaying the end of the conflict.

Inside the Complicated Trump-Putin Relationship

Despite his harsh words, Trump insisted he still maintains a “very good relationship” with Putin, adding that his anger would dissipate as long as Putin “does the right thing”—a statement that has raised eyebrows among foreign policy experts.

The two world leaders are reportedly scheduled to speak again this week to attempt to revive cease-fire negotiations. However, Russia has already demanded new conditions, including calling for Europe to lift numerous economic sanctions against Russian businesses.

“This is classic Trump negotiation style,” explained one Washington insider who requested anonymity. “He’s turning up the heat publicly while keeping the private diplomatic channels open. The question is whether Putin will respond to the pressure or dig in further.”

Can Trump Deliver on His Campaign Promise?

The Trump administration continues to push aggressively for an end to the conflict, working to fulfill one of the president’s key campaign promises. However, with Russia’s consistent pattern of breaking agreements and adding new demands, the path to peace remains uncertain.

What’s clear is that Trump’s patience with his former ally appears to be wearing thin, potentially signaling a major shift in US-Russia relations that could have far-reaching consequences for global politics and energy markets.

As this high-stakes diplomatic drama unfolds, all eyes remain on the upcoming call between the two powerful leaders—a conversation that could either escalate tensions further or potentially break the deadlock in one of the world’s most dangerous ongoing conflicts.