Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Apr 26: United States President Donald Trump on Saturday voiced growing frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin over recent airstrikes on Ukraine, warning that Moscow could soon face "different" treatment, including "banking" and "secondary" sanctions.
President Trump, who has often cited his personal rapport with President Putin as a potential key to ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict, questioned whether the Russian leader was merely "tapping me along" — implying that Putin might be stringing him along without genuine intentions of peace.
This public criticism marks a shift in tone from Trump, who earlier this week had urged Putin via his Truth Social platform to halt attacks on Ukraine. "Vladimir, Stop," Trump wrote, a post widely interpreted as a direct rebuke of the Russian President.
“There was no reason for Putin to be shooting missiles into civilian areas, cities and towns, over the last few days," Trump posted on Truth Social, referring to recent missile strikes on Kyiv. "It makes me think that maybe he doesn't want to stop the war, he's just tapping me along, and has to be dealt with differently, through ‘Banking’ or ‘Secondary Sanctions’? Too many people are dying!!!"
Trump’s remarks came shortly after his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Vatican, ahead of Pope Francis’s funeral.
Details of their discussions remain sparse, but a White House spokesperson described the meeting as “very productive.”
In a social media post following the meeting, President Zelensky wrote:
"Good meeting. One-on-one, we managed to discuss a lot. We hope for a result from all the things that were spoken about." He emphasized that the conversation focused on "the protection of the lives of our people, a complete and unconditional ceasefire, and a reliable and lasting peace that will prevent a recurrence of war."
Zelensky added: "It was a very symbolic meeting that has the potential to become historic if we achieve joint results. Thank you, President Donald Trump!"
Meanwhile, Steve Witkoff, Trump’s Special Envoy, met with President Putin in Moscow on Friday, though details of that engagement have not been disclosed.