Trump says Putin talks 'bullsh*t' after no ceasefire deal, promises more air defences for Ukraine

U.S. President Donald Trump has accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of spouting “bullshit”, adding that he has approved sending more U.S. military hardware to Ukraine and was considering more sanctions on Russia.

Reuters reported that on Jul. 8, Trump directed his criticisms at Putin during a Cabinet meeting at the White House.

“We get a lot of bullsh*t thrown at us by Putin, if you want to know the truth,” Trump told reporters. “He’s very nice to us all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless.”

He explained that he was “not happy with Putin”, noting the growing death toll for both Russian and Ukrainian soldiers.

Trump’s latest ire follows as Russia launched its largest drone attack on Ukraine shortly after a phone call between him and Putin on Jul. 3 that lasted over an hour that failed to make progress on a ceasefire deal.

More weapons, more sanctions

During the Cabinet meeting, Trump also followed through on an announcement he made the day before, saying that the U.S. would reverse a brief pause in arms shipments to Ukraine and send more weapons to the country to help in its defence against Russia.

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

Trump announced that he would send 10 Patriot missiles to Ukraine, although this is 20 fewer than the previous shipment that was scheduled to reach Ukraine, before it was halted.

Hegseth ordered pause to arms shipments to Ukraine

The pause that began last week was part of a review ordered by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to assess all weapon shipments and their impact on the U.S.’ stockpiles, NBC News reported.

Since Russia first invaded Ukraine in Feb. 2022, the U.S. has sent over US$67 billion (SG$86 billion) in weapons and security assistance to Ukraine.

The pause raised eyebrows, with NBC’s sources quoting senior military officers who said that the shipments to Ukraine do not jeopardise the U.S.’ supplies.

It also marks the second time Hegseth halted arm shipments to Ukraine and had his decision overturned within days.

Seated beside him at the Cabinet meeting, Trump was pressed about who ordered the pause.

“I don’t know,” he replied. “You tell me.”

Sanctions on Russia

On a separate note, Trump also stated that he was considering his support for a Senate bill that would impose severe sanctions on Russia, aligning with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s repeated calls for Western allies to toughen sanctions on Russia and corner it into a ceasefire deal.

According to Politico, the bill would impose high tariffs on imports of Russian energy, as well as secondary sanctions on foreign companies supporting Russian energy production.

Trump’s latest interest in the bill comes less than a week after Congress’ passed the Republican Party’s "Big, Beautiful Bill", clearing its legislative agenda.

“It’s totally at my option,” Trump said. “And I’m looking at it very strongly.”

Breadcrumbing

As the Russia-Ukraine war hits its 40th month, Trump continues to fall short on the promise he made as a presidential candidate to end the war on his first day in office.

Just five months ago, he had claimed that Putin wanted peace in Ukraine, though his rhetoric has swung back and forth since, even calling his Russian counterpart “CRAZY” at one point.

However, while Trump has seemingly given Putin more benefit of doubt than most other Western leaders, U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce suggested that Trump was responding to new developments.

“He’s an open-minded man, but he’s not naive. He is principled and clear in what he wants to achieve. That’s what we’re seeing,” she said.

As observed by CNN, Trump’s latest comment seems to reflect a deeper frustration he has voiced as early as April, of being strung along by the Russian leader, who has hardly shown any interest in a ceasefire deal that does not involve obtaining all of Ukraine.

“It makes me think that maybe he doesn’t want to stop the war,” Trump posted on Truth Social on Apr. 26. “He’s just tapping me along.”

Top image via President Donald J. Trump/Facebook & President of Russia/X