NAIROBI, Kenya — US President Donald Trump has lashed out at Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling him “absolutely crazy” after Russia launched its largest aerial assault on Ukraine since the war began.
Speaking to reporters in New Jersey late Sunday, Trump—known for his often cordial tone toward Putin—seemed to reach a breaking point.
“What the hell happened to him? He’s killing a lot of people,” he said. Trump confirmed he was “not happy” with the Russian leader and suggested more US sanctions on Moscow were on the table.
This sharp pivot comes in the wake of a horrifying night in Ukraine. According to officials in Kyiv, Russia fired 367 drones and missiles overnight, killing at least 12 people and injuring dozens.
Air raid sirens blared across the country into Monday, with new strikes reported in Kharkiv, where a child was among the wounded.
The Russian offensive—believed to be the most intense single-night barrage since the 2022 full-scale invasion—has reignited diplomatic tension, and Trump, perhaps unexpectedly, is finally raising the temperature.
Trump Suggests Zelensky May Concede Crimea as Part of Ukraine Peace DealBut Trump wasn’t finished. While he condemned Putin, he also took aim at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, accusing him of fueling tensions.
“Everything out of his mouth causes problems,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “I don’t like it, and it better stop.”
Trump’s frustration appears rooted in Zelensky’s recent statement that Washington’s “silence” was emboldening Moscow. The Ukrainian leader urged the US to apply stronger pressure on Russia, including fresh sanctions, following the latest deadly attacks. But Trump clearly didn’t appreciate the nudge.
Despite the criticism, the US continues to walk a diplomatic tightrope. A senior official hinted this week that Washington would either press for peace talks or “walk away” if negotiations stall again. The stakes are rising, but the direction remains cloudy.
Backchannels, ceasefires, and an uneasy truce
This latest flare-up follows what was supposed to be a breakthrough moment: a two-hour phone call last week between Trump and Putin.
Trump described the conversation as productive, saying both Russia and Ukraine had agreed to begin “immediate” negotiations toward a ceasefire.
For now, only Kyiv has publicly agreed to a 30-day truce, while Putin has vaguely committed to crafting a “memorandum” on “possible future peace”—a move that European leaders and Kyiv view as more stalling than substance.
The last in-person talks between Ukrainian and Russian negotiators happened earlier this month in Istanbul, marking the first direct discussions since 2022.
The talks yielded little progress beyond a high-profile prisoner swap, as fighting continues and Russia maintains control of 20% of Ukrainian territory, including the annexed Crimea peninsula.
Conclusion: War, words, and the weight of diplomacy
Trump’s public fallout with Putin might grab headlines, but whether it signals a true shift in US policy remains to be seen. His comments offer a rare condemnation of Russian aggression—but are undermined by his simultaneous swipe at Ukraine’s leadership.
As Russia ramps up attacks and Ukraine pleads for more than silence, the world watches a complex drama play out between diplomacy, ego, and war.
One thing is clear: Putin’s missiles aren’t slowing down—and neither is the political crossfire.
