Why the Kremlin has delegated its Trump rebukes to state media

Published July 9, 2025 4:14pm ET



Russian state-aligned media is escalating its personal attacks on President Donald Trump following his rebuke of President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday. In contrast, the Kremlin is avoiding a direct riposte.

Increasingly frustrated with Putin’s refusal to accept a ceasefire toward an end to the war in Ukraine, Trump observed, “We get a lot of bulls*** thrown at us by Putin, if you want to know the truth. He’s very nice all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless.” Trump added that he is sending additional Patriot missile defense munitions to Ukraine.

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