Former President Donald Trump has sharply criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling him “absolutely crazy” following a devastating aerial attack on Ukraine that resulted in at least 13 deaths. This unusual public rebuke from Trump came through his Truth Social platform on Sunday, highlighting a significant shift in his tone towards Putin, with whom he has previously maintained a friendly relationship.
The comments were made after Russia launched its largest aerial assault of the ongoing war, deploying a staggering 298 drones and 69 missiles against Ukraine. Ukrainian forces reported successfully intercepting a majority of these attacks, downing 266 drones and 45 missiles. Despite these efforts, the assault caused widespread terror, particularly in the northwestern region of Zhytomyr, where young victims aged eight, 12, and 17 were among those killed.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed grave concerns about the situation, stating that without strong international pressure, the violence would continue. He emphasized that the silence from the U.S. and other nations only emboldens Putin and called for more sanctions against Russia.
Trump’s frustration with Putin has grown as the war drags on for three years. He voiced his discontent with the Russian president’s actions, saying, “He’s killing a lot of people,” and questioned what has changed in Putin. He also indicated that he is considering imposing additional sanctions on Russia.
Interestingly, Trump also took aim at Zelenskyy, criticizing his public statements and suggesting they were harmful to Ukraine’s interests. He stated, “Everything out of his mouth causes problems,” urging him to change his approach.
The ongoing conflict shows no signs of resolution. A recent phone call between Trump and Putin did not yield any commitments for peace talks, and the Kremlin has since declared that no direct negotiations are currently planned. Meanwhile, European leaders are calling for stronger international measures against Russia, with the EU’s top diplomat highlighting the need for decisive action to stop the war.
As the situation continues to evolve, the humanitarian toll remains high, with more than 60 people reported injured in the latest attacks. The international community watches closely, hoping for a breakthrough in the conflict that has caused immense suffering and instability in the region.