President Donald Trump didn’t hold back on Thursday, calling out Russian President Vladimir Putin for dropping the ball on ending the brutal invasion of Ukraine. During a key press conference with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the Chequers estate, Trump laid it out plain: Putin has failed to deliver on his word, derailing America’s drive for peace.
“He’s let me down. He’s really let me down,” Trump said, referring to Putin.
Even with this setback, Trump kept the faith alive, telling reporters that big breakthroughs could be on the horizon. He’s not giving up on turning the tide.
“He’s losing many people and he’s losing more people than he’s k*lling,” the president said of Putin, pointing out the heavy toll on Russia. He added that this mess shouldn’t drag America in, warning it could spark a global catastrophe if not handled right. “… I don’t like to see it. It doesn’t affect the US other than if you end up in a world war over this thing.”
Trump hammered home the human cost, stressing that “millions of people have died in that war” and stating that “I feel I have an obligation to get it settled.”
Starmer chimed in earlier, exposing Putin’s ruthless side with those nonstop missile barrages on Ukraine, even as the U.S. and Europe push hard for a deal. The UK leader revealed they talked about cranking up the heat on Russia during their meeting at the 16th-century spot outside London.
This marks Trump’s first real dive back into the Ukraine mess since his ambitious plan last month to get Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the same room hit a wall, thanks to Moscow’s conditions.
Zelensky has been all in on the idea, sending his chief advisor Andriy Yermak to scout spots in safe havens like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey. But Putin’s only offer? A sit-down on Russian soil – a total non-starter for Ukraine.
In the meantime, Trump has been dangling the hammer of secondary sanctions over countries still hooked on Russian oil, though he hasn’t swung it yet.
Lately, Trump has shifted gears, urging Europe to lead by ditching Russian oil themselves and forcing Moscow’s hand before America steps in with penalties.
Two holdouts in Europe – Hungary and Slovakia – are still chugging along on Russian fuel, keeping Putin’s war machine greased.
Insiders at the State Department and on Capitol Hill have whispered that hitting those buyers with sanctions now would light a fire under them to switch sides fast.
Starmer admitted he and Trump hashed out the boycott idea, but flagged “one or two countries” needing a serious nudge to cut off the cash flow to Russia. “I think it is a challenge to Europe. There are a number of European countries who are too reliant on energy from Russia,” he stated. “We do need to bear down work with our European counterparts.”
Ukraine’s been leaning on Europe too, backing Trump’s call which could see those stragglers swapping Russian crude for good old American oil. Zelensky even sat down with Slovakia’s prime minister lately to push for a clean break from Moscow.
“We’ve discussed today how we can build our defensive further to support Ukraine,” Starmer stated, giving props to Trump for taking charge. “President Trump, you have led the way, and we will continue to stand and work together for security and for peace.”
Even King Charles gave a nod to Trump’s diplomatic hustle during Wednesday’s grand State Banquet, spotlighting the fight against aggression.
“Today, as tyranny once again threatens Europe, we and our allies stand together in support of Ukraine, to deter aggression and secure peace,” the King said in his address, echoing the no-nonsense stance against bullies like Putin.
