Not happy with Putin: Trump blasts Russian leader over Ukraine, eyes sanctions

UPDATED: Jul 9, 2025 01:55 IST

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he was not happy with Russian President Vladimir Putin and was considering additional sanctions on Moscow, underscoring his frustration over the growing death toll in Russia's war with Ukraine.

“We're not happy with Putin — I'm not happy with Putin because he's killing a lot of people,” Trump said, responding to a question on the war. “It’s turned out to be tougher,” he added, referring to the drawn-out conflict that has left tens of thousands dead and reshaped global security. Trump was speaking at a cabinet meeting at the White House.

“We get a lot of bull-thrown at us by Putin,” Trump said during a meeting with cabinet officials at the White House. “That friendliness? Meaningless,” he continued, appearing to scoff at Putin’s efforts to maintain diplomatic optics while waging a brutal campaign in Ukraine.

Though he declined to give specifics, Trump hinted that stronger measures could be on the horizon. “We’re looking at a sanctions bill very strongly,” he said. When pressed for details, he dodged: “I wouldn’t be telling you.”

Trump also said he had approved sending US defensive weapons to Ukraine.

Trump’s criticism came a day after he reversed Washington’s decision to pause arms shipments to Ukraine, approving the delivery of defensive weapons.

He announced plans to send 10 Patriot missile systems to bolster Ukraine’s defences. Trump also urged Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth to push defence contractors to accelerate weapons production, saying, “We have to step them up and let them make it at a much higher rate.”

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