Trump Slams Putin Over Ukraine War, Approves New Arms for Kyiv Amid Mounting Frustration

US President Donald Trump has issued his sharpest public rebuke yet of Russian President Vladimir Putin. He has called President Putin's diplomatic overtures on Ukraine “meaningless” and confirmed that Washington would resume sending defensive weapons to Kyiv. 

The remarks came during a televised Cabinet meeting at the White House, amid reported escalating violence in Ukraine and mounting domestic pressure over US foreign policy.

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"We get a lot of bullshit thrown at us by Putin, if you want to know the truth," Trump said, expressing frustration over the lack of progress in negotiations during their recent phone call. 

“He’s very nice all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless,” he added, referring to Putin’s repeated assurances about resolving the war in Ukraine.

Trump also announced that the United States would move forward with sending additional arms to Ukraine, reversing last week’s decision to temporarily pause some military shipments. 

“Putin is not treating human beings right. He’s killing too many people. So we’re sending some defensive weapons and I’ve approved that,” Trump said.

According to Axios, the aid package includes 10 Patriot air defense systems, aimed at bolstering Ukraine’s ability to repel frequent Russian missile and drone attacks. Trump further instructed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to press US arms manufacturers to ramp up production: “We have to step them up, Pete, and let them make it at a much higher rate.”

Ukrainian authorities have struggled to maintain a consistent defense posture in recent weeks, as Russia has intensified long-range strikes across multiple regions, including the industrial territory of Dnipropetrovsk. 

The Kremlin responded cautiously to Trump’s remarks. According to local media, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the US decision to resume arms shipments would prolong the conflict: “It is obvious that these actions probably do not align with attempts to promote a peaceful resolution,” Peskov said at a press briefing.

Trump also told reporters he was reviewing a Senate-backed bill proposing further sanctions on Russia. “I’m looking at it very strongly,” he noted, though he did not specify a timeline for any decision.

While Trump’s tone marks a clear escalation in his rhetoric toward the Kremlin, his administration’s Ukraine policy remains under scrutiny, especially after earlier statements perceived as ambivalent. 

The White House has recently faced criticism from lawmakers and European allies for what appeared to be inconsistent support for Kyiv amid Russia’s growing offensive.