U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly rebuked Russian President Vladimir Putin following Moscow’s largest aerial assault on Ukraine since the full-scale invasion began in 2022. Speaking to reporters in New Jersey on Sunday, Trump expressed shock over the intensifying violence: “What the hell happened to him? He’s killing a lot of people.” He later took to Truth Social to label Putin “absolutely crazy.”
The remarks came after a devastating overnight barrage in Ukraine, where Russian forces launched 367 drones and missiles, killing at least 12 people and injuring dozens more. Air raid sirens wailed across multiple regions, with fresh attacks reported in Kharkiv on Monday, injuring three, including a child.
Trump’s condemnation of Putin marked a rare shift in tone from the U.S. leader, who has long touted his rapport with the Kremlin strongman. “I’ve known him a long time, always gotten along with him, but he’s sending rockets into cities and killing people, and I don’t like it at all,” Trump said.
When asked whether new U.S. sanctions were on the table, Trump said, “Absolutely,” though his administration has yet to implement new punitive measures despite prior threats.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has criticized what he calls Washington’s “silence,” warning that the lack of strong action is emboldening Putin. He has urged tougher sanctions and greater pressure on Moscow from Western allies.
Although European nations are drafting additional sanctions, the U.S. continues to explore diplomatic avenues. Trump revealed he recently held a two-hour phone call with Putin to discuss a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal. Trump said the conversation went “very well” and believed it could lead to immediate negotiations. Ukraine has agreed to a 30-day ceasefire, but Russia has only committed to discussions on a “possible future peace.”
Despite this, Trump didn’t spare criticism for Zelensky either, accusing him of exacerbating tensions. “Everything out of his mouth causes problems, I don’t like it, and it better stop,” he warned.
With Russia still occupying about 20% of Ukraine, including Crimea, the road to peace remains steep and uncertain.
