President Donald Trump on Tuesday said Russian leader Vladimir Putin was “playing with fire”, expressing renewed frustration as Moscow continues to pummel Ukraine while all dragging out US efforts to secure a ceasefire deal.
It was the second time since Sunday that Mr Trump was critical of Mr Putin, a marked change in tone to his normally more diplomatic and deferential approach as he tries to broker an end to a war that began more than three years ago.
“What Vladimir Putin doesn’t realise is that if it weren’t for me, lots of really bad things would have already happened to Russia, and I mean really bad,” he wrote on his Truth Social platform
Russia recently conducted some of the biggest drone and missile attacks on Ukraine since Moscow's invasion of the country in early 2022.
Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, who is now a top security official for Mr Putin, responded to Mr Trump's comments by invoking the risk of nuclear war.
"Regarding Trump's words about Putin 'playing with fire' and 'really bad things' happening to Russia. I only know of one really bad thing — WWIII. I hope Trump understands this," Mr Medvedev posted on X.
On Sunday, Mr Trump called Mr Putin “crazy” after an earlier series of intense attacks on Ukraine. He said he would “absolutely” consider additional sanctions on Russia.
“I don't know what's wrong with him,” he said. “What the hell happened to him, right? He's killing a lot of people and I'm not happy with that.”
Mr Trump took office in January promising to swiftly end the war in Ukraine.
The latest intensified Russia attacks threaten to set back US-led efforts to broker a ceasefire mediated by the Vatican. In March, Kyiv accepted a 30-day ceasefire proposed by the US, which Russia rejected.
Mr Trump has previously resisted calls by Senate Republicans and European leaders to put more pressure on Russia to end the war, although he did say in March that he was “strongly considering” sanctions against Moscow after a strong Russian counter-offensive.
Senator Lindsey Graham, an ally of Mr Trump, said in a Wall Street Journal opinion piece published on Tuesday that he has co-ordinated with the White House on a bill that would put Russia on a “trade island”.
“If Mr Putin continues to play games, the Senate will act,” Mr Graham said. “I’m hoping for the best but when it comes to the thug in Moscow, we should all prepare for more of the same.”
State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said Mr Trump has several options if he chooses to punish Russia.
"There are many different things that the President has at his disposal to make sure that our position is felt and that that can be used to make an impact to stop this carnage," Ms Bruce told reporters.
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Members of Syria's Alawite minority community face threat in their heartland after one of the deadliest days in country’s recent history. Read more
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
The Prison Letters of Nelson Mandela
Edited by Sahm Venter
Published by Liveright
