President Donald Trump strongly condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday, calling him “absolutely CRAZY” after Russia launched its most intense aerial assault on Ukraine since the war began three years ago. The coordinated missile and drone strikes killed at least 12 people, including children, and injured dozens more across multiple Ukrainian cities.
In a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump said, “I’ve always had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin of Russia, but something has happened to him. He has gone absolutely CRAZY! He is needlessly killing a lot of people, and I’m not just talking about soldiers. Missiles and drones are being shot into Cities in Ukraine, for no reason whatsoever.”
Speaking to reporters later that day, Trump reiterated his disapproval, stating, “I’m not happy with what Putin is doing. He’s killing a lot of people, and I don’t know what the hell happened to Putin.”
The attack, which Ukrainian officials say targeted civilian infrastructure, marks a sharp escalation in Moscow’s tactics and comes amid growing calls from international leaders for a ceasefire. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded with renewed urgency, criticizing what he described as “America’s silence” and suggesting that muted responses from Western allies only embolden Russian aggression.
“The world may go on vacation, but the war continues, despite weekends and weekdays,” Zelensky said Sunday. “This cannot be ignored.”
Trump, however, used his Truth Social post to take aim at Zelensky as well, writing, “Likewise, President Zelenskyy is doing his Country no favors by talking the way he does. Everything out of his mouth causes problems, I don’t like it, and it better stop.”
Despite his previous hesitation to back additional punitive measures against Russia, Trump said Sunday he is “absolutely” considering new sanctions following the deadly air raids. “We’re in the middle of talking, and [Putin] is shooting rockets into Kyiv and other cities,” Trump said, referring to a phone call he had with the Russian leader last week.
That call, according to Trump, was part of an effort to broker a 30-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. Trump later announced that negotiations between the two countries were set to begin immediately. “Conditions will be negotiated between the two parties, as it can only be,” he said. “They know the details of a negotiation that nobody else would be aware of.”
The renewed violence and Trump’s remarks have reignited debate over the U.S. role in the conflict, with analysts watching closely to see if Trump’s latest tone shift marks a change in his broader stance on Russia and Ukraine.
Written By Rodney Mbua
