FT: Trump's Anger At Putin Has Reached A Tipping Point

• 12.07.2025, 12:33

But there's a nuance.

US President Donald Trump's latest comments on Russia underscored that his frustration with Russian leader Vladimir Putin and his unwillingness to make concessions in negotiations to end the war has reached a tipping point.

As Financial Times writes, Trump's anger signals a significant shift in the tone of the White House, but it still does not mean he is leaning toward a pro-Ukrainian stance.

"We are closer than we have ever been to taking new financial measures or putting new pressure on Putin in the history of this administration," said Christine Berzina, managing director of the German Marshall Fund in the US.

But while Trump's loud statements to Putin ease fears that the White House will abandon Ukraine altogether, they may not signal a deep shift in Kiev's favor, experts said.

"This is a warning shot to Russia and Putin. But it doesn't mean that the U.S. will suddenly become a bigger ally and supporter of Ukraine or play a bigger role than before," said Max Bergmann of the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Europe also notes that while Trump's rhetoric has raised some hopes in Europe for a potential change in his attitude, there is no real evidence yet that the White House is taking a more pro-Kiev stance.

"Ukraine's Western allies continue to believe that Trump is inclined to view Putin as his main negotiating partner in any settlement and Zelensky as the main obstacle to a real peace agreement, officials said."

They added that while the Patriot systems are critical to Ukraine's ability to better defend its troops and cities, however, it will not affect its ability to strike back at Russia or change the overall dynamics of the war.

"There is some undue excitement about the change in tone," one official said. "But we don't see it leading to serious action."