President Trump has voiced strong criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin following a significant escalation in the conflict in Ukraine. On Sunday, Putin launched a massive aerial assault on Ukrainian cities, which included 355 drones and nine cruise missiles. This attack was reported as the largest of the war so far, resulting in at least 12 deaths and numerous injuries across the country.
Speaking to reporters, Trump expressed his displeasure with Putin’s actions. He described the Russian leader as "not happy" with the ongoing violence and stated, "I don’t know what the hell happened to Putin." Trump, who has had a long-standing relationship with Putin, noted the severe impact of the attacks, saying, "He’s sending rockets into cities and killing people, and I don’t like it at all."
When asked about potential sanctions against Russia, Trump responded emphatically, "Absolutely." He further escalated his remarks on social media, declaring that Putin has "gone absolutely CRAZY!" and is causing unnecessary suffering.
The Ukrainian Air Force confirmed the scale of the assault, highlighting that the bombardment targeted various cities, including the capital, Kyiv. The attacks followed a day of heavy bombardment and came amidst a prisoner exchange between the two countries, which offered a brief glimmer of hope in the ongoing conflict.
In response to Trump’s comments, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov downplayed the criticism, suggesting that Trump’s remarks could be attributed to "emotional overload." He acknowledged Trump’s efforts to facilitate negotiations but emphasized the emotional nature of the situation for all involved.
Despite the ongoing violence, there have been attempts to negotiate a ceasefire. Ukraine has agreed to a 30-day ceasefire proposed by the U.S., but Putin has rejected it. Trump indicated that he believes Putin’s ambitions extend beyond Ukraine, stating, "I’ve always said that he wants ALL of Ukraine, not just a piece of it."
Trump also directed some harsh words toward Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, criticizing his statements and suggesting they create problems. The situation remains tense, with no clear signs of progress toward peace as the conflict continues to escalate.