Trump Says He’s “Not Done” With Putin — But Patience Is Wearing Thin

In a candid phone interview with the BBC on Tuesday, President Donald Trump offered a rare glimpse into the push-and-pull of his evolving relationship with Vladimir Putin. “I’m disappointed in him,” Trump said bluntly. “But I’m not done with him.” It was a surprisingly personal note for a president who has often cloaked his foreign policy in blunt transactional terms.

The comment came just hours after the White House announced its endorsement of a European-led weapons package to Ukraine, including American-made Patriot missile systems. While the U.S. will not directly foot the bill this time, it is greenlighting the flow of advanced air defense platforms — the kind that, not long ago, Trump had expressed hesitation about supplying.

This new support, combined with threats of steep import tariffs on both Russia and its trading partners, forms part of Trump’s escalating strategy: a 50-day deadline for Moscow to show real movement toward ending the war in Ukraine, or else face what he called “severe consequences.”

Between diplomacy and deterrence

Trump’s remarks to the BBC signal he’s walking a tightrope — holding out the possibility of dialogue while actively raising the stakes. And it’s not the first time he’s done this.

Back in June, the president issued a sweeping warning that countries buying Russian exports could face secondary sanctions — a move that startled Washington’s allies in New Delhi and Ankara. At the time, it was dismissed by some as posturing. But now, paired with increased arms flows and public frustration with Putin, the strategy appears more coherent — even if it’s risky.

A familiar pattern, but different context

To be honest, this reminds me of how Trump approached North Korea in 2017 — pressure campaigns mixed with personal diplomacy. But the stakes here are different. We’re not talking about a rogue regime testing missiles in the Pacific. This is a major war in Europe, with thousands dead and global implications for energy and trade.

The challenge now is whether Putin takes the hint — or calls the bluff.

As of now, Moscow hasn’t publicly responded to the 50-day ultimatum. Meanwhile, NATO members are quietly coordinating on contingency plans in case the situation escalates. And despite Trump’s apparent willingness to keep talking, the message is clear: he’s running out of patience.

For deeper background on the weapons package and diplomatic stakes, see reporting by BBC, NATO, and CSIS.