Trump Lashes Out: “Putin Has Killed a Lot of People”

Trump Calls Putin ‘Crazy’ After Russia’s Largest Aerial Attack on Ukraine

WASHINGTON D.C. – May 26, 2025 – In a surprising shift from his typically cordial public stance toward Russian President Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump has vehemently condemned Putin’s actions following Russia’s most extensive aerial assault on Ukraine since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Trump labeled the Russian leader “absolutely crazy” and warned that his ambitions could lead to Russia’s downfall.The scathing remarks from the former U.S. President came after a devastating overnight barrage on Sunday, which saw Russia launch 367 drones and missiles, including Iranian-designed Shahed drones, across Ukraine. The attacks resulted in at least 12 fatalities and dozens of injuries in various Ukrainian cities.Speaking to reporters and later on his Truth Social platform, Trump declared, “I’ve always had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin of Russia, but something has happened to him. He has gone absolutely CRAZY!” He criticized the indiscriminate targeting of Ukrainian cities, stating, “He is needlessly killing a lot of people, and I’m not just talking about soldiers.Missiles and drones are being shot into Cities in Ukraine, for no reason whatsoever.”

Trump further speculated that Putin’s ultimate goal might be to seize all of Ukraine, a move he cautioned would “lead to the downfall of Russia!” He also indicated that he was “absolutely” considering increasing U.S. sanctions on Russia in response to the escalating violence.This strong rebuke is a notable departure for Trump, who has often boasted of his rapport with Putin.

 His recent comments suggest a growing frustration with the prolonged conflict and the stalled peace negotiations, which he had previously vowed to resolve swiftly if he returned to the White House.However, Trump’s criticism was not solely directed at Putin. In his social media post, he also took aim at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, asserting that Zelenskyy “is doing his Country no favors by talking the way he does. Everything out of his mouth causes problems, I don’t like it, and it better stop.”These developments follow a two-hour phone call last week between Trump and Putin, after which Trump claimed that Russia and Ukraine would “immediately start” ceasefire negotiations. Despite Trump’s assertion, Putin had only offered a vague proposal for a “memorandum” on a “possible future peace,” a move that Kyiv and its European allies largely perceived as a delaying tactic.