Trump’s Growing Frustration With Ukraine Peace Efforts Signals Possible U.S. Pullback

President Donald Trump is growing visibly frustrated with Russia’s escalating attacks on Ukraine and the slow pace of peace negotiations—raising the possibility that the U.S. may withdraw from its efforts to mediate an end to the war.

“I don’t know what’s going on with President Putin. They’re talking peace, but he’s firing missiles at Kyiv and other cities, killing civilians. I absolutely do not like that,” Trump told reporters on May 25 before boarding Air Force One in New Jersey.

The remarks follow a massive Russian air assault involving hundreds of drones and missiles launched just days after Trump had a two-hour phone call with Putin—a conversation he previously described as “great” and a hopeful step toward direct peace talks.

“I’ve always had a good relationship with President Putin, but something’s changed,” Trump posted later. “He’s killing innocent people by launching missiles at Ukrainian cities for no reason.” Trump warned that Russia would pay a “heavy price” if Putin’s goal is to seize all of Ukraine, not just select regions.

This isn’t the first time Trump has publicly voiced dissatisfaction with Putin or the stalled peace process. Back in March, he expressed “anger” when Putin rejected a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire. In April, following another missile strike on Kyiv, Trump urged Putin to “stop” and questioned whether the Russian leader genuinely wanted peace.

Despite earlier campaign promises to end the war within 24 hours of taking office, Trump now appears to be losing patience. Earlier this month, he increased pressure on both Russia and Ukraine to engage in direct talks. Those negotiations did occur—briefly—in Turkey, marking the first high-level contact between both sides since March 2022.

While the meeting led to the largest prisoner swap of the conflict, it failed to produce any movement toward a ceasefire. Russia said it was satisfied with the exchange and willing to continue talks, but Ukraine called Moscow’s terms “unacceptable.”

Trump later spoke with Putin again, but no breakthrough emerged.

White House: ‘All Options on the Table’

“The President made it clear he wants to see both sides reach a peace deal,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, adding that Trump is “keeping all options open”—a phrase many interpreted as leaving the door open to sanctions.

When asked whether he was considering punitive measures against Russia, Trump said “certainly,” but did not elaborate.

Analysts, however, argue that despite repeated calls from European allies to coordinate tougher pressure on Russia, Trump has consistently backed away when it comes to making final decisions about economic sanctions.

“So far, there’s been no real sign Trump is willing to use meaningful economic leverage to shift the Kremlin’s hardline stance,” said CNN analyst Matthew Chance.

Responding to Trump’s latest remarks, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on May 26 that the U.S. President seemed “overly emotional” about a process Russia believes was set in motion thanks to American efforts.

Peskov didn’t criticize Trump directly, instead acknowledging that “anyone can feel overwhelmed” by the complexity of peace negotiations. He credited U.S. officials—especially Trump himself—for helping launch the talks.

Shifting Priorities in Washington

Despite earlier efforts, Trump now appears less willing to mask his disappointment with Putin. According to CNN’s Chance, sources close to the President say he has begun contemplating whether to abandon his role in trying to end the war if diplomatic efforts continue to stall.

“While Russia hasn’t agreed to a ceasefire, it looks like Trump is starting to walk away from it,” said Ian Bremmer, president of the Eurasia Group. “And that’s leading the U.S. to show less resolve in supporting Ukraine.”

During private remarks earlier this month at his Florida club, Trump admitted the situation is “deeply frustrating” and keeping him up at night, according to several donors present.

Still, when speaking with European leaders from Germany, France, Italy, Finland, and the EU Commission in mid-May, Trump reportedly downplayed the likelihood of imposing hard-hitting sanctions on Moscow.

“Essentially, he said, ‘I’m stepping back,’” one European official with knowledge of the conversation told The Wall Street Journal.

That source added that Trump made it clear he was disengaging from the conflict, echoing earlier remarks by Vice President JD Vance, who publicly stated: “We’re ready to walk away.”

A Quiet Exit?

Analysts believe the recent surge in Russian strikes may have convinced Trump that efforts to broker peace in the near future are futile. And in the face of deepening frustration, he may simply choose to exit the conversation altogether.

“Trump’s tone suggests he no longer believes he can bring both sides to the table,” said CNN’s Chance. “And that may mark the beginning of a quiet U.S. retreat from the Ukraine peace process.”

(Sources: CNN, Wall Street Journal, The Guardian)

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