President Donald Trump denounced Russian President Vladimir Putin following Russia’s largest aerial assault on Ukraine since the war began. Over the weekend, Russian forces launched nearly 400 drones and missiles, killing at least 12 civilians and injuring dozens more. Trump condemned the attacks as unjustified and warned that Putin’s actions could lead to Russia’s downfall.
“He has gone absolutely CRAZY!” Trump posted on Truth Social, expressing dismay over Putin’s escalation. The president, who previously maintained a working relationship with Putin, now signaled a potential shift in U.S. policy. He criticized the Russian leader for needlessly killing civilians and suggested that Putin’s aim to seize all of Ukraine could backfire.
The Kremlin dismissed Trump’s remarks, attributing them to emotional stress. Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Putin was acting to defend Russia and characterized the drone strikes as retaliatory. This exchange marks a continued escalation in rhetoric between the U.S. and Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged the U.S. to take decisive action, criticizing perceived inaction and calling for new sanctions. However, Trump rebuked Zelenskyy’s comments, blaming the war on Zelenskyy, Putin, and President Biden, claiming it would not have erupted if he were in office.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio previously indicated the U.S. might impose steep tariffs on Russian oil and gas absent peace progress, pending Trump’s direction. Trump reiterated his campaign pledge to end the war.
