US President Donald Trump has sharply criticised Russian President Vladimir Putin after Russia launched its largest aerial attack on Ukraine since the start of the war. Speaking to reporters in New Jersey on Sunday, Trump said, “I am not happy with Putin,” expressing his dismay over the deadly assault that killed at least 12 civilians and injured many more across Ukrainian cities, including the capital Kyiv.
Largest attack ever
The Russian offensive involved an unprecedented barrage of 367 drones and missiles, marking the most extensive single-night attack since Moscow began its full-scale invasion in February 2022. Ukrainian authorities reported that the strikes caused widespread destruction, with air raid sirens ringing out across the nation as emergency services struggled to respond to the devastation.
Trump, who has previously maintained a cordial relationship with Putin, did not hold back in his recent remarks. “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 said on his social media platform. He added, “I don’t know what the hell happened to Putin. He’s killing a lot of people, and I don’t like it at all”.
The US President also warned that Putin’s ambition to seize all of Ukraine could ultimately lead to Russia’s downfall. “I’ve always said that he wants all of Ukraine, not just a piece of it, and maybe that’s proving to be right, but if he does, it will lead to the downfall of Russia!” Trump stated, underlining the risks of Moscow’s continued aggression.
Trump’s comments come at a time of heightened international concern. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused the US of “silence” in the face of Russia’s latest attacks, arguing that a lack of strong response from Washington is emboldening Putin. Zelenskyy has called for tougher international sanctions and increased pressure on Moscow to halt its attacks.
When asked about the possibility of new sanctions against Russia, Trump signalled that he was “absolutely” considering additional measures, though he has not yet announced any concrete steps. This marks a notable shift from his earlier, more conciliatory approach towards the Russian leader, reflecting growing frustration with Moscow’s refusal to agree to a ceasefire.
The recent escalation follows a lengthy phone call between Trump and Putin, during which the US President urged for immediate ceasefire talks between Russia and Ukraine. While Trump announced that negotiations would commence, the Kremlin has so far resisted agreeing to an unconditional ceasefire, insisting on certain preconditions.
Gross Incompetence
Trump has repeatedly claimed that the war would not have started had he been in office earlier, blaming the conflict on the “gross incompetence” of both Putin and Zelenskyy, as well as his predecessor Joe Biden. However, with peace negotiations stalled and the violence intensifying, Trump’s administration is now under pressure to take a firmer stand.
