CaliToday (26/9/2025): In a notable shift in tone, President Donald Trump has publicly expressed his "disappointment" with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the protracted war in Ukraine, openly criticizing Moscow's costly and slow-moving military campaign. The comments mark a departure from his often-ambiguous stance on the conflict and signal a growing frustration with the Kremlin's inability to secure a decisive outcome.
Speaking to reporters and in a series of posts on his Truth Social platform, Trump offered a critical assessment of Russia's military performance, which he suggested has fallen far short of expectations.
"Russia has been fighting aimlessly for over three years, a war that should have taken a real military power less than a week to win," Trump stated, adding that the effort was not distinguishing Russia on the world stage. "I am very disappointed in President Putin, I can say that. We had a great relationship, but a lot of resources have been spent, and frankly, there has not been the kind of progress you would want to see."
This critique focuses on the practical aspects of the invasion—its immense cost in both financial resources and human lives versus the limited territorial gains achieved. This pragmatic, results-oriented criticism is characteristic of Trump's approach to foreign policy.
A Shift in Rhetoric and Strategy
The former president's latest remarks come just weeks after a high-profile summit with President Putin in Alaska, which was intended to lay the groundwork for a peace settlement. Since that meeting, however, Russia has intensified its bombing campaigns against Ukrainian cities, a move that appears to have soured Trump's outlook.
His frustration seems twofold:
Failure to Mediate: Trump, who has frequently boasted of his deal-making abilities, appears personally irked by the lack of a diplomatic breakthrough following his direct intervention. The failure of the post-summit peace process reflects poorly on his efforts to position himself as a global peacemaker.
Military Inefficiency: Trump's comments also imply a critique of Putin's strategic competence. By pointing out the immense cost and slow pace of the invasion, he is questioning the effectiveness of Russia's military machine, which he at times has previously praised. He recently went as far as to call Russia a "paper tiger," a jibe that was quickly dismissed by Kremlin officials.
Context and Implications
This public expression of disappointment is significant given Trump's complex history with the Russian leader. Throughout his presidency and beyond, Trump often avoided direct criticism of Putin, a stance that drew condemnation from his political opponents.
This new rhetoric could have several implications:
Pressure on Moscow: The comments are likely intended to apply public pressure on the Kremlin, signaling that patience is wearing thin and that Russia's actions are causing friction even with figures previously seen as sympathetic.
Domestic Political Positioning: The tougher stance on Russia could also be aimed at a domestic audience, countering long-standing accusations that he is too deferential to Putin and aligning himself with a more mainstream hawkish view on the conflict.
Signaling to Ukraine and NATO: Trump's recent statements, including a surprising assertion this week that Ukraine is now "in a position to fight and WIN," have been warmly received by Kyiv and European allies. It suggests a potential realignment, placing more responsibility on European nations to arm Ukraine for a decisive victory if Russia refuses to negotiate in good faith.
While Kremlin officials have publicly downplayed the remarks as an "emotional" reaction from a deal-oriented leader, the shift in tone from such a prominent global figure is undoubtedly being closely analyzed in Moscow, Kyiv, and Western capitals as they try to navigate the next phase of the enduring conflict.
