Donald Trump warns he's 'not done' with Putin and 'trusts almost nobody'

In a candid interview with the BBC, U.S. President Donald Trump acknowledged increasing frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin, revealing that they had nearly reached an agreement to end the war in Ukraine on four separate occasions—only for it to fall apart each time.

“We had a deal done four times,” Trump said. “And then you go home and you see [Russia] just attacked a nursing home or something in Kyiv. I said, ‘What the hell was that all about?’”

When asked if he still trusted Putin, Trump paused before responding:

“I trust almost nobody, to be honest with you.”

The remarks, made during a spontaneous interview arranged just minutes before air, mark a notable shift in tone. Trump had long positioned himself as someone who could manage adversaries through personal diplomacy. However, his patience appears to be wearing thin.

On Monday, Trump threatened steep new tariffs on Russia and announced expanded military support for Ukraine, including a fresh pipeline of U.S.-made weapons. This represents a hardening of his stance, after months of attempting to negotiate an end to the war without escalating U.S. involvement.

Previously, Trump had focused much of his criticism on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, suggesting he was unwilling to compromise. But in recent weeks, the president has turned his ire toward Moscow, particularly in the face of mounting civilian casualties in Ukraine.

According to the UN, June saw the highest monthly toll of civilian deaths since Russia's full-scale invasion began, with 232 people killed and over 1,300 wounded.

Meanwhile, Russian forces are making renewed advances across the 1,000-kilometer front line, even as Ukraine struggles to keep up with relentless drone and missile attacks on major cities.

“I’m not done with [Putin],” Trump emphasized, “but I’m disappointed.”