Finnish President Alexander Stubb said U.S. President Donald Trump had become impatient with Russia over a Ukraine ceasefire.
U.S. President Donald Trump has become impatient with Russian President Vladimir Putin for dragging his feet over a ceasefire deal with Ukraine, according to Finland’s head of state.
After his visit to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, Finnish President Alexander Stubb said he had told his U.S. counterpart that Putin could not be trusted, local outlet YLE reported, according to a translation.
Newsweek has contacted the Russian Foreign Ministry for comment.Why It Matters
Earlier this month, Ukraine agreed to a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire, but Putin has refused the deal, attaching conditions to a proposed ceasefire in the Black Sea that many have seen as a stalling tactic.
Trump, who spoke with Putin on the phone on March 18, has touted his relationship with the Russian leader, raising concerns that Moscow would emerge with the upper hand in any peace deal with Kyiv. However, Stubb’s comments suggest a tougher tone from the U.S. president toward Putin that is likely to be welcomed by Ukraine and its allies.What To Know
On Sunday, Trump told NBC News that he was « very angry » that Putin had questioned the legitimacy of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
He also threatened secondary sanctions on Russian oil, which one energy industry expert told Newsweek had the potential to deliver a significant blow to Russia’s most lucrative export.
Stubb told reporters on Sunday about his conversation with Trump following their golf game the previous day during the Trump International Spring Member-Guest Tournament, which included Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.
