WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump expressed frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday, signaling possible tensions in their relationship over Russia’s role in the ongoing Middle East conflict and the war in Ukraine.
Trump told reporters he was “not thrilled” with Putin, citing Russia’s continued involvement in supporting Iran and the slow progress toward ending the conflict in Ukraine. The comments came during a briefing at the White House on the situation in the Persian Gulf.
“I’m not thrilled with Putin. He’s not helping enough,” Trump said, according to a transcript released by the White House. He added that he had expected greater cooperation from Moscow in recent diplomatic efforts.
The remarks mark a shift from earlier statements in which Trump had described Putin as potentially “helpful” in mediating aspects of the Iran conflict. A phone call between the two leaders earlier this month focused on proposals to end hostilities in the Middle East, the Kremlin said at the time.
Russian officials have not issued a direct response to Trump’s latest comments. The Kremlin has previously stated that Putin outlined ideas for resolving the Iran situation during the call and reaffirmed Russia’s support for a diplomatic solution.
U.S. officials have accused Russia of providing intelligence and other assistance to Iran amid the conflict that escalated in late February. Details of the extent of such support remain unclear, as both governments have released limited information.
The comments also touch on the long-running conflict in Ukraine. Trump has repeatedly pressed for a quicker resolution there, while criticizing the pace of negotiations. No new details on specific U.S. proposals or Russian responses were provided on Monday.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration continues to engage with all parties. “The president is focused on ending conflicts and bringing stability,” she told reporters.
As of Tuesday, no new phone calls or high-level meetings between U.S. and Russian officials had been announced. The situation between Washington and Moscow remained fluid, with both sides continuing public statements on the intertwined issues in the Middle East and Eastern Europe.
Further details on any potential policy shifts or additional diplomatic steps were not immediately available.
