Trump Slams Putin After Russia’s Massive Aerial Attack on Ukraine

WASHINGTON/MOSCOW/KYIV — President Donald Trump sharply criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 26 following a large-scale aerial assault on Ukrainian cities. The attack, described by the Ukrainian Air Force as the largest of the ongoing war, involved 367 drones and missiles and resulted in at least 12 deaths.

Speaking to reporters in Morristown, New Jersey, Trump expressed his discontent with Putin’s actions, stating, “I don’t know what the hell happened to Putin. He’s killing a lot of people.” He added that he was “not happy” with the Russian leader’s refusal to agree to a ceasefire, despite ongoing efforts to stabilize the conflict.

Following the attacks on Sunday evening, Trump took to social media, accusing Putin of “going absolutely CRAZY” and needlessly endangering lives. He emphasized that the violence is unnecessary, saying, “He has gone absolutely CRAZY! Needlessly killing a lot of people.”

This recent aerial assault by Russia included strikes on major cities such as Kyiv, leaving many citizens fearful as drone sounds accompanied nights of unrest. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov downplayed Trump’s remarks, attributing them to emotional responses related to the ongoing conflict.

Moreover, during an exchange between both countries, Trump suggested that a broader ambition lies within Putin, asserting that the Russian president wants “ALL of Ukraine, not just a piece of it.” He warned that such aspirations could lead to “the downfall of Russia.”

Despite Ukraine’s agreement to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire proposed by the U.S., Putin has rejected it, leading to continued military action. As Russia escalates its attacks, European leaders, including Germany’s chancellor, Friedrich Merz, indicated that they would provide Ukraine with more advanced weaponry.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the attacks in a video statement, criticizing the ongoing violence as a political decision rather than a military necessity. “There is no military sense in this; it is an obvious political choice,” he stated, calling on allies to increase pressure on Russia.

As tensions mount further in the region, Trump hinted at potentially imposing more sanctions on Russia, aligning with responses from world leaders advocating for increased support for Ukraine. The geopolitical landscape remains complex as negotiations were suggested but so far yielded little progress toward peace.