Mon Mar 31 02:22:40 UTC 2025: **Trump Lashes Out at Putin and Zelenskyy Amid Stalled Ukraine Ceasefire Talks**
Washington, D.C. – March 31, 2025 – US President Donald Trump expressed anger and frustration Sunday over the stalled ceasefire negotiations in the ongoing Ukraine conflict, directing his criticism at both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Initially, Trump condemned Putin for questioning Zelenskyy’s credibility as a negotiating partner, stating his displeasure with the Kremlin leader. However, he later shifted his focus to Zelenskyy, issuing a stern warning that Ukraine would face “big, big problems” if the Ukrainian president reneged on a deal granting US firms exclusive access to Ukrainian rare earth minerals.
Trump, who has been actively trying to broker a ceasefire, has been pressing Zelenskyy to sign this agreement. Earlier reports indicated Trump had contacted NBC News journalist Kristen Welker to express his fury over Putin’s comments and threatened secondary tariffs on Russian oil companies.
The stalled negotiations have seen Putin reject a US-Ukrainian proposed 30-day ceasefire and suggest Zelenskyy’s removal from office. Meanwhile, Ukraine accuses Russia of prolonging talks without genuine intent to cease hostilities. Recent attacks on Kharkiv, including a military hospital, highlight the ongoing conflict. Russian forces have also made advances near the Dnipropetrovsk region border.
Zelenskyy, in his address Saturday, urged allies to increase pressure on Russia to achieve a ceasefire, highlighting the lack of response to the US proposal for an unconditional ceasefire. The ongoing conflict has lasted over three years, marked by warming ties between Washington and Moscow since Trump’s return to office, bolstering Russia’s position. Trump’s past contentious relationship with Zelenskyy further complicates the situation.
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