Russia and Putin · Second term · № 100
Said it "may be easier dealing with Russia" than Ukraine and that he believed Putin wanted peace
“I find that, in terms of getting a final settlement, it may be easier dealing with Russia, which is surprising, because they have all the cards.”
- Said
- , Oval Office exchange with reporters, the White House
- Subject
- Russia "has all the cards"
- Type
- Praise and deference
- Topic
- Ukraine & Russia
- Era
- Second term
What happened
Trump spoke on March 7, 2025, while U.S. military aid and intelligence sharing for Ukraine were paused and after Russia launched missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities. Asked whether he still believed Putin when he said he wanted peace, Trump said, "I believe him," and added, "I'm finding it more difficult, frankly, to deal with Ukraine." Asked whether Putin was taking advantage of the U.S. pause, he said, "No, I actually think he's doing what anybody else would do." Earlier that day he had written on Truth Social that he was "strongly considering large scale Banking Sanctions, Sanctions, and Tariffs on Russia" until a ceasefire was reached. Asked on May 19 why he had not increased sanctions on Russia, he said doing so could "make it much worse." The Treasury Department sanctioned the Russian oil companies Rosneft and Lukoil in October 2025.
Sources
- Remarks on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Report on the Employment Situation in February and an Exchange With Reporters
- Trump says he's considering Russia sanctions and tariffs until ceasefire is reached with Ukraine
- Trump threatens to impose 'large scale' sanctions on Russia until a peace agreement with Ukraine is reached
- Remarks on Presenting the Medal of Sacrifice and an Exchange With Reporters
- China and India to face supply jolt as U.S. targets Russia's oil giants