In a noteworthy shift in tone, U.S. President Donald Trump has labeled Russian President Vladimir Putin as "absolutely CRAZY" and accused him of "needlessly killing a lot of people" in a Truth Social post on Sunday. This statement follows a significant Russian attack on Ukraine that resulted in at least 12 casualties, including three children, and involved drone and missile strikes across 30 cities and villages.
Trump's comments indicate a hardening stance against the Kremlin as his attempts to mediate peace have faltered, particularly after Moscow's recent military actions. He stated, "Missiles and drones are being shot into Cities in Ukraine, for no reason whatsoever," reiterating his belief that Putin aims to seize full control of Ukraine, warning that such actions could lead to Russia's downfall.
The former president's remarks represent a growing frustration with both Russia and Ukraine's leadership. Trump has previously held Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accountable for instigating the conflict, despite the fact that Russia initiated its full-scale invasion in February 2022. In his post, Trump remarked, "This is Zelenskyy’s, Putin’s, and Biden’s War," distancing himself from the conflict while asserting his role in attempting to mitigate the crisis.
The heightened rhetoric comes after a two-hour call between Trump and Putin to discuss a proposed 30-day ceasefire, which has yet to materialize. Trump acknowledged his historically good relationship with Putin but noted that "something has happened to him," reflecting his disillusionment.
In addition to his criticism of Putin, Trump also admonished Zelenskyy, stating that his statements are detrimental to Ukraine's cause. He remarked, "Everything out of his mouth causes problems, I don’t like it, and it better stop." Zelenskyy had previously expressed urgency regarding the ongoing war, emphasizing that the conflict continues uninterrupted and warning that silence from the U.S. and other nations only emboldens Putin.
