President Donald J. Trump reportedly sharply rebuked Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday, accusing him of repeatedly misleading the United States and suggesting that conciliatory rhetoric from Moscow carried little weight in the face of military aggression.
Speaking to journalists at the White House, Mr. Trump said that recent discussions with Mr. Putin had left him feeling misled. “If he says something, it doesn’t mean anything—I really believe that,” he stated.
The president expressed frustration that verbal assurances from Moscow were followed by continued hostility, particularly in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Mr. Trump said he and Mr. Putin had exchanged messages that conveyed a desire for peace, but he noted that Russia’s actions “don’t line up with what he says publicly.”
He questioned whether Mr. Putin intended to “stop” the war, reiterating that words alone no longer held the sway they once did.
The president’s comments follow mounting criticism from Western leaders who accuse Russia of continuing its assault on Ukraine despite diplomatic overtures.
Mr. Trump’s remarks seemed aimed at signaling a tougher posture toward Moscow, underscoring the widening gap between rhetoric and action.
Mr. Trump said he hoped Mr. Putin would seize an opportunity for a cease-fire but warned that the Russian leader’s promises could not be trusted.
His words echoed a broader shift within Western policy circles, where skepticism toward Russia’s intentions has grown in response to persistent military operations.
While Mr. Trump offered no indication of new sanctions or military measures, his tone reflected a growing impatience with the Kremlin.
He framed the situation as one in which diplomatic niceties have given way to hard truths, and he suggested that additional action may be warranted if Russia fails to follow through on its pledges.
The president did not elaborate on specific responses he would support, but his remarks aligned with recent administration moves to reassure Ukraine of continued U.S. support.
Those efforts include resuming weapon shipments and working with allies to deter Russian aggression.
Mr. Trump’s public shift—the latest in a series of increasingly pointed remarks about Moscow—marks a notable departure from earlier months in which he expressed admiration for Mr. Putin.
Sunday’s comments appear to reflect growing frustration at Russia’s unchanged behavior, despite repeated calls for peace.
Whether the president’s distaste for empty diplomatic assurances leads to concrete policy changes remains to be seen. But for now, Mr. Trump is signaling clearly: talk without action from Moscow will no longer suffice.
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