US President Donald Trump revealed during a recent press conference that he cannot determine whether Russian President Vladimir Putin genuinely seeks to conclude the war in Ukraine.

Trump also indicated his willingness to participate in potential discussions between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Putin if required. 

“Within two weeks we are going to find out very soon if he [Putin] is tapping us along or not. If he is, we will respond a little bit differently,” Trump stated. 

The American president cited recent Russia’s violence as grounds for his skepticism, stating he feels “very disappointed by what has been happening these past few nights, when people are being killed in the middle of what you would call negotiations.”

The American leader criticized ongoing Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities, stating that missile strikes against urban areas are unacceptable. Trump questioned Putin’s motivations, saying he doesn’t understand what has changed about the Russian leader, given that “he’s killing a lot of people.”

Following a deadly Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine that killed at least 12 civilians on 25 May, Trump publicly condemned Putin, calling him “crazy” and expressing consideration of new sanctions against Russia.

However, Trump also criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, accusing him of causing problems with his rhetoric, and blamed both Zelenskyy and President Joe Biden for the continuation of the war, which he claimed would not have started under his leadership.

The Trump’s team also issued an ultimatum that the US will withdraw from negotiations if Russia and Ukraine do not enter direct peace negotiations soon.