Russia has confirmed that it is still cooperating with the United States despite President Trump expressing frustration with Vladimir Putin.
The Kremlin downplayed tensions, stating that communication between the two nations continues.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov addressed the situation, emphasizing that Russia is focused on maintaining diplomatic relations with the US. He noted that while no call is scheduled between Putin and Trump this week, the Russian president is open to discussions if needed.
Trump’s frustration stems from Putin’s recent remarks suggesting an interim government in Ukraine under UN supervision, potentially replacing President Volodymyr Zelensky. In an interview with NBC News, Trump warned that any leadership change in Ukraine would delay a potential ceasefire deal. He also threatened to impose a 50% tariff on Russian oil exports if a resolution is not reached.
For weeks, officials from the US and Russia have been in talks to find a way to end the war in Ukraine. Trump has previously been critical of Zelensky but had not directly criticized Putin until now. His latest comments mark a shift in his stance on Russia’s role in the conflict.
Russian state media acknowledged Trump’s reaction, with some outlets offering rare criticism of the US president. The newspaper Moskovsky Komsomolets questioned Trump’s reliability in negotiations and accused him of failing to prevent Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure.
Despite these developments, Moscow has signaled its willingness to negotiate. Whether Trump’s warnings will influence Putin’s decisions remains to be seen, but diplomatic efforts between the two nations continue.