Donald Trump has sharply criticised Vladimir Putin following Russia’s deadliest aerial assault on Ukraine since the war began. After 355 drones and multiple missiles rained down on Ukrainian cities, the US president questioned Putin’s mental state and hinted at new sanctions.
Russia’s Deadliest Drone Attack Yet
“A Record Number of Drones”
According to Ukraine’s air force, Russia launched an unprecedented 355 drones and nine cruise missiles overnight, targeting cities including Kyiv. The wave of attacks killed at least 12 people, including three children.
Despite successfully intercepting many of the drones, Ukrainian officials urgently renewed calls for more Western air defence systems, saying, “Strengthening the protection of our skies is crucial.”
Trump Reacts: “He’s Gone Absolutely Crazy!”
Sharp U-Turn on Putin
Trump, who has long boasted of his relationship with Putin, appeared visibly shaken while addressing reporters in New Jersey:
“I’m not happy with Putin. I don’t know what’s wrong with him… He’s killing a lot of people.”
On his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote:
“He has gone absolutely CRAZY! … If he wants ALL of Ukraine, it will lead to the downfall of Russia!”
This strong rebuke signals a rare public break from the Russian president, as Trump also threatened new sanctions in response to the attacks.
Criticism for Zelenskyy and Mixed Messages
Despite his condemnation of Putin, Trump also took aim at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, accusing him of making inflammatory statements:
“Everything out of his mouth causes problems. I don’t like it, and it better stop.”
This dual criticism raised eyebrows, especially as Trump has previously claimed he could broker peace between Russia and Ukraine quickly if re-elected.
Kremlin Responds: “Emotional Overload”
The Kremlin dismissed Trump’s remarks, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov attributing them to “emotional overload.” He reiterated that Russia’s missile strikes were retaliatory and aimed at military targets.
Despite the harsh rhetoric, Peskov thanked Trump for helping launch ongoing peace negotiations and confirmed a recent two-hour call between the two leaders.
Can Peace Talks Survive Amid Escalation?
Russia’s record-breaking drone strikes come at a time when Trump has been promoting peace efforts, raising doubts about the Kremlin’s sincerity. While Trump insists diplomacy is possible, the rising civilian death toll and his own shifting tone may complicate negotiations.
