On April 26, 2025, former President Donald Trump took to social media to express doubts about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s intentions in the ongoing Ukraine conflict. Trump suggested that Putin may be deceiving him by “tapping him along,” implying that Putin might not genuinely seek peace.
Trump wrote, “It makes me think that maybe he doesn’t want to stop the war, he’s just tapping me along, and has to be dealt with differently, through ‘Banking’ or ‘Secondary Sanctions?’ Too many people are dying!!!” His post follows a recent Russian missile strike in Kyiv that killed at least 12 people and injured dozens more.
The former president’s remarks signal a possible shift in his approach toward Russia, with a stronger emphasis on economic sanctions. Despite ongoing peace talks, including a “constructive” meeting between Trump’s envoy and Putin, Trump’s comments raise concerns about the true intentions behind Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
