Trump displeased with both Zelenskyy and Putin’s statements on Ukraine war

During a press briefing, Leavitt stated that President Trump is making tremendous efforts to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. However, he is displeased with the rhetoric coming from both sides.

"He has expressed his displeasure with comments that had been made by leaders of both sides of this conflict. He has expressed what he believes what needs to take place in order to see this conflict come to an end," she noted.

Leavitt did not specify which statements by Zelenskyy and Putin had displeased Trump but emphasized that the US president continues to work persistently on resolving the war, with teams actively engaged in the process.

Trump's discontent

Yesterday, Trump stated in an interview that he was "angry" and "pissed off" with Putin over remarks questioning Zelenskyy’s legitimacy and discussions about a ceasefire in Ukraine.

Trump reacted strongly after Putin criticized the authority of Zelenskyy's leadership. On Friday, Putin reiterated his claims that Zelenskyy is illegitimate and called for a transitional government under UN oversight, which would effectively remove the Ukrainian president from power.

Trump is also frustrated that the war continues despite his efforts to broker peace. As a result, he has threatened to impose tariffs of 25-50% on Russian oil. He stated that these tariffs would take effect within a month if no ceasefire agreement is reached.

Regarding Zelenskyy, Trump's dissatisfaction seems to stem not from statements about the war but from economic concerns. Trump recently claimed that Zelenskyy intends to back out of a deal involving rare earth metals. He warned that if the Ukrainian leader abandons the agreement, he would face "big, big problems."