US President Donald Trump said Tuesday he was “very disappointed” with Russian President Vladimir Putin for failing to advance a peace deal on Ukraine, just days before a self-imposed deadline is due to expire.Trump voices frustration after Alaska summitSpeaking on the Scott Jennings Radio Show, Trump was asked if he felt betrayed by Putin’s actions following their summit in Alaska earlier this month.”I’m very disappointed in President Putin, I can say that,” Trump said. “We had a great relationship, I’m very disappointed.”The president did not clarify what consequences Russia might face, despite having set a two-week deadline for progress on a deal, a deadline that runs out later this week. Putin turns to Beijing, Trump brushes off concernsOn Tuesday, Putin met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, underscoring closer ties ahead of a massive military parade. But Trump dismissed suggestions that a Russia–China axis should worry Washington.”I’m not concerned at all, no,” Trump said. “We have the strongest military in the world by far and they would never use their military on us, believe me that would be the worst thing they could ever do.”US Treasury signals possible actionTreasury Secretary Scott Bessent, speaking to Fox News on Monday, said the administration was weighing options for a U.S. response if Russia failed to follow through. He accused Putin of escalating the conflict instead of seeking peace.”Since their Alaska summit, and a lengthy phone call with President Trump while President Zelensky and European leaders were at the White House, Putin has done the opposite of following through on what he indicated he wanted to do,” Bessent said. “As a matter of fact, he has, in a despicable, despicable manner, increased the bombing campaign. So I think with President Trump, all options are on the table, and I think we’ll be examining those very closely this week.”The White House has yet to outline what those options might be, but officials confirmed discussions are ongoing as the deadline approaches.
