US President Donald Trump warns of dire consequences for Russia’s aggression, while slamming both Putin and Zelensky for escalating tensions.
May 26, 2025: Amid one of the deadliest rounds of Russian airstrikes in Ukraine since the war’s start, US President Donald Trump lashed out at his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, branding him “absolutely crazy” for needlessly killing civilians.
“I’ve always had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin, but something has happened to him. He’s gone absolutely CRAZY! He is needlessly killing a lot of people, and I’m not just talking about soldiers,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “Missiles and drones are being shot into cities in Ukraine, for no reason whatsoever.”
Trump, who has often expressed admiration for Putin, appeared increasingly frustrated as peace talks between Russia and Ukraine remain deadlocked. Speaking to reporters before boarding Air Force One in New Jersey, he warned, “I don’t know what the hell happened to Putin… he’s sending rockets into cities and killing people, and I don’t like it at all.”
Trump further cautioned that if Putin attempted a full takeover of Ukraine, “it will lead to the downfall of Russia.”
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However, the US President also took aim at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, saying, “Everything out of his mouth causes problems, I don’t like it, and it better stop.”
Trump insisted the war would never have started under his watch. “This is a War that would never have started if I were President. This is Zelenskyy’s, Putin’s, and Biden’s War, not ‘Trump’s.’ I am only helping to put out the big and ugly fires that have been started through Gross Incompetence and Hatred,” he stated.
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Trump suggested he was “absolutely” considering ramping up US sanctions on Russia in response to the escalating violence.
Meanwhile, Russia’s fresh wave of missile and drone attacks killed at least 13 people, including children, and coincided with the largest prisoner swap of the war, as 1,000 soldiers and civilians were exchanged between Moscow and Kyiv.
Ukrainian President Zelensky accused Moscow of “brutality” and called for greater international pressure to halt the attacks.
Contrary to Trump’s comments, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Congress earlier this week that further sanctions might stall negotiations. Still, Trump and Putin held a two-hour phone call on Monday, after which Trump said both sides would “immediately start negotiations towards a ceasefire,” though Putin has not offered any firm commitments.
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Trump, Putin, Russia-Ukraine war, Ukraine airstrikes, US-Russia relations, Zelensky, sanctions on Russia, world news, international conflict