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Trump Accuses Putin of ‘Bulls***’ as Ukraine Peace Talks Stall

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WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump launched an unprecedented verbal attack on Russian President Vladimir Putin during a Cabinet meeting Tuesday, accusing him of providing “nothing but bulls***” as diplomatic efforts to end the three-year Ukraine war remain deadlocked despite months of negotiations.

The uncharacteristically harsh criticism marks a dramatic shift from Trump’s previously conciliatory tone toward the Russian leader, whom he had once praised as “smart” and maintained a “very good relationship” with during his first term. Trump’s frustration erupted as he acknowledged that securing a Ukraine ceasefire has proven far more difficult than his campaign promise to end the war within 24 hours of taking office.

We get a lot of bulls*** thrown at us by Putin, if you want to know the truth,” Trump told reporters during the Cabinet meeting at the White House. “He’s very nice all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless.”

Failed Diplomatic Efforts

The president’s comments came just days after what he described as a “very disappointing” phone conversation with Putin on July 3, their sixth call this year. During the nearly hour-long discussion, Putin rejected Trump’s request for a 30-day ceasefire, according to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov.

“I was not happy with the conversation,” Trump said. “I don’t think he’s looking to stop.”

Russian officials confirmed Putin told Trump that “Russia will not back down” and would pursue its “stated objectives” in Ukraine. The Kremlin leader insisted any peace negotiations must occur directly between Moscow and Kyiv, appearing to resist U.S. involvement in the process.

Sanctions Under Consideration

Facing mounting pressure from Congress, Trump revealed he is “looking very strongly” at a bipartisan Senate bill that would impose sweeping new sanctions on Russia. The legislation, backed by more than 80 senators including Republican Lindsey Graham and Democrat Richard Blumenthal, would authorize 500% tariffs on countries purchasing Russian energy products.

He’s killing a lot of people,” Trump said of Putin during Tuesday’s meeting. “I don’t know what’s wrong with him. What the hell happened to him?”

The president’s shift in rhetoric represents a significant departure from his approach just months ago. During his campaign and early in his second term, Trump frequently avoided criticizing Putin directly and often paired any critique of Russia with criticism of Ukraine.

Ukraine’s Position Strengthens

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who spoke with Trump on Friday in what he described as a “very important and fruitful conversation,” has pushed for stronger sanctions if Russia refuses to agree to a ceasefire. Ukraine has aligned itself with Trump’s proposal for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire, which Moscow has rejected.

“Putin does not change his behavior when he does not fear the consequences of his actions,” Zelensky wrote on Telegram following the latest round of Russian drone and missile attacks.

The Ukrainian leader met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and other EU leaders in Denmark on Thursday, emphasizing the need to strengthen cooperation amid doubts about continued U.S. military support.

Weapons Shipments Resume

Adding to the diplomatic complexity, Trump announced Tuesday he had approved sending “defensive weapons” to Ukraine, reversing a brief pause in shipments that occurred last week. When pressed about who ordered the initial pause, Trump responded sarcastically to reporters: “I don’t know. Why don’t you tell me?”

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, seated beside Trump during the Cabinet meeting, remained silent on the matter. The reversal comes as Russia has intensified its bombardment of Ukrainian cities, with attacks killing hundreds of civilians in recent weeks.

“Putin is not treating human beings right. He’s killing too many people,” Trump explained. “So we’re sending some defensive weapons to Ukraine and I’ve approved that.”

Peace Talks at Standstill

Direct talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul in May produced only an agreement to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war on each side, with no progress toward a ceasefire. Russia handed Ukrainian negotiators a memorandum restating its maximalist demands, including Ukraine’s withdrawal from four partially occupied regions that Russia has annexed.

Dmitry Medvedev, Russia’s former president and current security official, stated bluntly that Moscow’s goal is not to “compromise” but to achieve a “speedy victory.” This uncompromising stance has frustrated Trump’s diplomatic efforts, which have included proposals for peace talks at the Vatican.

“It’s turned out to be tougher, but it’s only tougher,” Trump admitted Tuesday. “I will say the Ukrainians were brave, but we gave them the best equipment ever made.”

Congressional Pressure Mounts

The president’s tougher stance on Putin comes amid increasing pressure from Capitol Hill. Senator Graham, a key Trump ally on foreign policy, visited Kyiv with Senator Blumenthal last month and accused Russia of “mocking peace efforts” in Istanbul.

“Russia indiscriminately kills men, women and children,” Graham wrote on social media. It’s time for the world to act decisively against Russia’s aggression by holding China and others accountable for buying cheap Russian oil that props up Putin’s war machine.

State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce suggested Trump’s evolving position reflects new realities on the ground. “He’s an open-minded man, but he’s not naive,” Bruce said when asked about the president’s shift in tone.

Netanyahu Nominates Trump for Nobel

In a separate development during the tumultuous week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu surprised Trump during a White House dinner Monday by presenting him with a letter nominating the president for the Nobel Peace Prize. Netanyahu cited Trump’s role in forging the Abraham Accords and ongoing Middle East peace efforts.

“He’s forging peace as we speak, in one country and one region after the other,” Netanyahu said, handing Trump the nomination letter across the dinner table.

Trump, who appeared genuinely surprised, responded: “This I didn’t know. Wow. Thank you very much. Coming from you in particular, this is very meaningful.”

The nomination comes as Trump presses for a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, with his Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff expressing hope for an agreement “by the end of the week.

Uncertain Path Forward

As Trump’s frustration with Putin grows more public, questions remain about his next steps. The president has previously expressed concern that new sanctions could push Russia away from peace talks, but his patience appears to be wearing thin.

“Nothing’s going to happen until Putin and I get together,” Trump told reporters in May. Now, that prospect seems more distant than ever, with the Russian leader showing no signs of compromise despite Trump’s increasingly harsh rhetoric.

The war in Ukraine has now dragged on for more than three years, with thousands dying weekly on both sides. Trump’s campaign promise to end the conflict quickly has collided with the complex realities of a deeply entrenched conflict, leaving the president searching for leverage to bring Putin to the negotiating table.

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