ANALYSIS: Is Trump changing his tune on Putin or changing his tactics?
U.S. President says he's “very angry” and “pissed off” with Putin
President Donald Trump said he is “very angry” and “pissed off” with Russian President Vladimir Putin following weeks of efforts to negotiate a ceasefire in Ukraine, according to an interview with NBC News.
He also told Kristen Welker, “If Russia and I are unable to make a deal on stopping the bloodshed in Ukraine, and if I think it was Russia’s fault — which it might not be — but if I think it was Russia’s fault, I am going to put secondary tariffs on oil, on all oil coming out of Russia.”
That seems to be a significant shift in tone toward Vladimir Putin, representing his sharpest public criticism of the Russian leader to date. By threatening to impose “secondary tariffs” on Russian oil if Putin undermines cease-fire talks with Ukraine, Mr. Trump signals a more confrontational posture—one that contrasts with his long-standing pattern of deference and ambiguity toward Russia.
For years, Trump has avoided directly blaming Putin for the war in Ukraine, frequently casting doubt on Russia’s culpability and even praising the Russian president’s strength and leadership. He has consistently refused to criticize Putin while casting aspersions on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whom he recently and falsely called a “dictator.”
That posture has now shifted. Or has it?
This rhetorical break may serve multiple purposes. Politically, it allows Trump to counter the perception that he is aligned with authoritarian leaders, particularly as questions about his stance on global conflicts intensify during the campaign. Strategically, it positions him as a hard-nosed negotiator willing to punish even longstanding adversaries if they block his goals.
Yet even in this shift, Trump is keeping an escape route open. He conditioned his threat on whether he decides it was “Russia’s fault,” maintaining space to walk back criticism or shift blame. This blend of sharp rebuke and strategic vagueness is characteristic of Trump’s style—allowing him to project toughness while preserving room to maneuver.
Ultimately, the change in tone seems less about a reassessment of Putin and more about reframing Trump's own image as a forceful global actor. It suggests a tactical recalibration rather than a full repudiation of his earlier stance.