In a striking statement early Friday morning, former U.S. President Donald Trump voiced disappointment in Russian President Vladimir Putin, telling reporters that he doesn’t believe Putin will bring the ongoing war in Ukraine to an end. Speaking briefly outside his Florida residence on July 4, 2025, Trump said, "I had hoped for better. I really thought he would make a move toward peace by now. I’m disappointed."

Trump, who has often been criticized for his ambiguous stance on Russia during his presidency, appeared to strike a more critical tone than usual. When asked whether he still believed he could broker peace between Russia and Ukraine if re-elected, Trump responded, "Yes, I believe I could - in 24 hours. But the current leadership isn’t interested in resolving it."

The comment comes as the war drags into its third year with escalating global concerns about the humanitarian crisis and regional instability. Trump's remarks are likely to spark debate among both his critics and supporters over his evolving position on Russia and its leadership.