Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro during a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, May 7, 2025. Alexander Zemlianichenko/Pool via REUTERS NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES
(Mar-A-Lago) – President Donald Trump criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin during a press conference Saturday surrounding the arrest of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
When asked by a reporter whether he was angry with Putin, Trump responded, “I’m not thrilled with Putin – he’s killing too many people.”
The comment came as Trump addressed questions on global affairs following the U.S. operation that resulted in Maduro’s capture. Trump did not expand further on potential policy changes toward Russia but acknowledged growing frustration with the ongoing violence, marking a notably blunt moment during a briefing otherwise focused on developments in Venezuela.
Trump’s remarks added an unexpected international dimension to the news conference, which was primarily centered on U.S. actions in Venezuela and the administration’s broader national security posture. The White House has not indicated whether the statement signals a shift in U.S. policy toward Moscow, but officials said the president continues to monitor global conflicts as part of what the administration describes as an aggressive approach to protecting American interests.
