'Disappointed with Putin…we pretty much have a deal': Trump on Putin, Gaza truce, and TikTok deal and tariffs

US President Donald Trump expressed frustration and disappointment following a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday.

“I’m very disappointed with the conversation I had today with President Putin, because I don’t think he’s there, and I’m very disappointed,” Trump said. The president said the discussion left him disappointed due to a perceived lack of intent on Putin’s part to end the ongoing war in Ukraine.

“I’m just saying I don’t think he’s looking to stop, and that’s too bad”.

Trump also hinted that he may finally be ready to toughen sanctions against Russia, having held off for the past six months while he tried to persuade Putin to end the war. "We talk about sanctions a lot," Trump said. "He understands that it may be coming."

After speaking to Putin, Trump plans to speak to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

On the Middle East conflict, Trump addressed ongoing efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza. On the question of whether Hamas had accepted the latest ceasefire proposal, Trump said, “We’ll see what happens. We’re going to know over the next 24 hours,” he said.

On TikTok, Trump said discussions with China over a possible deal concerning the popular short-video app would begin early next week. “I think we’re gonna start Monday or Tuesday… talking to China, perhaps President Xi or one of his representatives, but we pretty much have a deal,” Trump said.

Trump has also confirmed signing trade letters, “probably 12” which would be sent out on Monday, with the names of the recipient countries to be disclosed the same day, while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One.

"I signed some letters and they'll go out on Monday, probably 12”, he said.

His remarks come ahead of the July 9 deadline for imposing revised tariff rates, which would range from 10 to 70 percent, and are set to hit dozens of economies, including Taiwan and the European Union.