Frustrated Trump warns he will put oil tariffs on Russia

President says he’s very angry’ at Putin’s delays on ceasefire

- JOHN BOWDEN

Donald Trump dramatically escalated his criticism of Russia yesterday after weeks of being accused of taking Vladimir Putin's side over the war in Ukraine.

The US president called up NBC’s Kristen Welker prior to her Sunday appearance as host of Meet the Press. He told her that he was “pissed off” after the Russian president called for elections in Ukraine and once again questioned the legitimacy of Volodymyr Zelensky’s government – comments the US president said were unhelpful.

Even though US negotiators are currently engaged in moderating peace talks between Ukrainian and Russian officials in Saudi Arabia, Mr Trump put the blame squarely on Mr Putin’s shoulders, saying he was “very angry” at the Russian president. Mr Putin’s recent comments about Mr Zelensky, he said, were “not going in the right location”.