In a heated NBC News interview, Trump expressed his 'very angry' feelings towards Putin for criticizing Ukraine's Zelenskyy, while also threatening hefty tariffs on Russian oil if peace talks take a nosedive.

This sudden outburst from Trump comes amid ongoing tensions surrounding Ukraine, where Putin's call for a transitional government to potentially replace Zelenskyy has ruffled feathers in the U.S. Not one to hold back, Trump not only vowed to impose a 25% tariff on Russian oil imports if the peace talks fail but also warned that any American businesses buying Russian oil would be persona non grata in the United States—a bold stance from a man who previously dubbed Zelenskyy a dictator.

During the interview, Trump clarified his concerns, stating, "I’m very angry and really pissed off at Putin for what he said about Zelenskyy. It’s just uncalled for." It seems that even a former president has his limits, especially when it comes to opinions about leadership—unless, of course, he happens to be questioning the quality of leadership himself. In a bit of irony that could only be cooked up in a political kitchen, Trump’s roast of Zelenskyy, labeling him a dictator, didn’t seem to spare him from being a defender of Ukrainian sovereignty when it suits his agenda.

Putin's move to suggest a transitional government in Ukraine struck a nerve, leading some analysts to speculate that the Russian leader may have just given Trump a clear pathway to churn some of his trade management tactics into soundbites that resonate with his base. However, the art of negotiating peace seems like a high-stakes game of poker, and the stakes have just been raised. A transitional government? Perhaps Putin is closer to a sitcom than a solution, but who doesn’t love a good plot twist?

Trump elaborated on his potential response to the ongoing conflict, stating, "If the peace negotiations fall apart, we will have to come down hard. Twenty-five percent on Russian oil? They’ll think twice about it." By suggesting such significant tariffs, Trump demonstrates that he can scream about economics as loud as he does about foreign policy. The thoughts of an oil-importing business trying to navigate this uncertainty can be summed up in the Florida market's favorite term: splash zone.

If that weren’t sufficient clarity, Trump also made it clear that American companies dealing in Russian oil should be well aware of their new status as 'business outlaws' stateside. "You cannot do business in the United States if you're buying oil from Russia," he stated firmly—adding, perhaps off the record, that the last time he checked, America had an ample stockpile of domestically produced hot air to keep the economy running smoothly.

However, the conversation is set to get deeper, as Trump has planned another discussion with Putin this week. What themes might they cover? The effectiveness of transition plans? Import tariffs? Or perhaps, just the charming combination of Russian troop movements and American soundbites? Only time will tell if their next tête-à-tête turns into diplomatic dialogue or simply another round of verbal tennis.

Despite Trump’s anger, there’s a flicker of hope that could see his rage dissipate like a mist in the morning sun—if, in his eyes, Putin decides to 'do the right thing.' Yet, the definition of 'the right thing' varies so wildly in modern geopolitics that one might need a Rosetta Stone to decipher it. Clearly, at this moment, determining which way the winds are blowing in Eastern Europe might make for a very messy new season of 'Who Will Lead Ukraine?'

To put things into perspective, the U.S. has been at the negotiating table, having negotiated not one, but two cease-fire agreements that have since been violated. So clearly, if there's a blueprint for success here, it's one that is already smudged with ink and indecision. The United States has often found itself wrestling with Russia like two bears in a too-small cage, with each trying to assert dominance for varying reasons.

Overall, this rollercoaster of emotions—punctuated with tariffs and imminent negotiations—has raised pertinent questions on who will successfully navigate the political landscape ahead. With Trump’s dual roles as critic and negotiator, we're left wondering how much weight his fury will truly carry when it comes down to affecting change. Meanwhile, Putin might be sitting back with popcorn, enjoying the circus performance of international relations all while wearing two hats: the one labeled 'Enigmatic Leader' and the other, crudely written, 'Best Acting Class.' Time will tell whether or not Trump’s frustrations stick or simply vanish into the atmosphere like a misdirected hot air balloon.