Former President Donald Trump appears to be shifting his stance on Russian President Vladimir Putin, particularly concerning the ongoing war in Ukraine. While Trump has publicly maintained a relatively conciliatory tone toward Putin, recent private communications suggest growing frustration with the Russian leader's actions.
In a recent call with European leaders, Trump acknowledged that Putin is not ready to end the war in Ukraine, believing he's winning. This marked a notable shift from Trump's prior public claims that Putin seeks peace. Despite this realization, Trump resisted European and Ukrainian calls to apply more pressure on Russia, including imposing new sanctions. Instead, he proposed advancing lower-level peace talks at the Vatican.
Trump's frustration has been building over time. In March 2025, he expressed anger over Putin's criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, threatening to impose secondary tariffs on Russian oil exports if the war continued. By April, after missile attacks on Ukrainian civilians, Trump questioned whether Putin was "just trapping me along" and suggested a need for a "different approach," including potential banking or secondary sanctions.
Despite these private expressions of discontent, Trump's public actions have remained cautious. He has avoided imposing new sanctions and continues to advocate for peace talks, even as European leaders push for a tougher stance against Russia. This divergence has led to concerns among allies about the consistency and effectiveness of U.S. policy toward Russia under Trump's leadership.
In summary, while Trump's private communications reveal increasing skepticism toward Putin's intentions, his public posture remains measured, reflecting a complex and evolving approach to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.