U.S. President Donald Trump sharply criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday following Moscow’s largest aerial attack in its three-year war on Ukraine, which killed at least 12 people, including children.
“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,” Trump posted on Truth Social. Speaking to reporters earlier, he added, “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 overnight attacks left dozens injured and devastated civilian areas, as Russia intensified its bombardment amid rising global calls for a ceasefire.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded Sunday morning, stating, “The world may go on vacation, but the war continues, despite weekends and weekdays. This cannot be ignored. America’s silence, and the silence of others in the world, only encourages Putin.”
Trump, however, also directed criticism at Zelensky: “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 previously expressing hesitation about new sanctions, Trump said he is “absolutely” considering additional measures against Russia, a step Zelensky has been urging. “We’re in the middle of talking, and he’s shooting rockets into Kyiv and other cities,” Trump told reporters in New Jersey, referencing a previous missile strike during a phone call with Putin.
Just days ago, Trump had spoken with Putin in an attempt to broker a 30-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. Following that call, as well as talks with Zelensky and European allies, Trump announced that “Russia and Ukraine will immediately start negotiations toward a Ceasefire and, more importantly, an END to the War.”
He added that conditions “will be negotiated between the two parties, as it can only be, because they know details of a negotiation that nobody else would be aware of.”
