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President Donald Trump issued a scathing rebuke of Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday, calling him “crazy” and condemning Russia’s ongoing attacks on Ukrainian cities, marking his strongest criticism of the Russian leader to date.
“I’ve always had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin of Russia, but something has happened to him. He has gone absolutely CRAZY!” Trump wrote in a social media post Sunday night, hours after a fresh wave of Russian drone and missile attacks rocked Kyiv and other major Ukrainian cities for a third consecutive night.
The barrage, which Ukrainian officials described as the largest aerial assault since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022, killed at least 12 people and wounded dozens more.
“Missiles and drones are being shot into Cities in Ukraine, for no reason whatsoever,” Trump wrote. “He’s needlessly killing a lot of people.”
While Trump stopped short of outlining specific policy actions, he warned that continued aggression could bring devastating consequences for Russia itself. “If he wants to conquer all of Ukraine, it will lead to the downfall of Russia!” he said.
The former president also took aim at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, saying that the Ukrainian leader’s public remarks were “doing his Country no favors.”
“Everything out of his mouth causes problems, I don’t like it, and it better stop,” Trump added, highlighting his frustration with both sides of the conflict.
Trump’s comments come amid growing international calls for a ceasefire and as pressure mounts on global leaders to find a diplomatic resolution to the nearly three-year-old war. Over the weekend, Trump revealed he had spoken to Putin by phone, and afterward announced that Russia and Ukraine would “immediately” begin ceasefire negotiations—though the Kremlin has since denied that any direct talks are scheduled.
Earlier Sunday, speaking to reporters in New Jersey, Trump reiterated his shock at the violence. “I’m not happy with what Putin’s doing. He’s killing a lot of people. And I don’t know what the hell happened to Putin,” he said. “I’ve known him a long time… but he’s sending rockets into cities and killing people and I don’t like it at all.”
The U.S. administration has not confirmed the details of Trump’s reported call with Putin. Meanwhile, European Union leaders announced new sanctions on Moscow this month in response to the Kremlin’s continued aggression and refusal to engage in peace talks.
Trump, who has long touted his personal rapport with Putin and claimed he could end the war swiftly if re-elected, has increasingly expressed disappointment in Russia’s military campaign and what he described as Ukraine’s “inflammatory” rhetoric.
Despite threatening stronger sanctions, Trump has yet to take concrete action on that front.
A White House spokesperson declined to comment on the nature of the Trump-Putin call or the status of any backchannel ceasefire negotiations.
With the war entering its third year, peace remains distant—despite mounting casualties, widespread destruction, and intensifying international pressure.
