Trump Slams Putin Over Deadly Ukraine Assault, Calls Him “Absolutely Crazy”

Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks Resume with Prisoner Swap, Little Progress

By DTD- On May 26, 2025

New Jersey/Istanbul — Former U.S. President Donald Trump issued a scathing rebuke of Russian President Vladimir Putin following what Ukrainian officials described as the most intense aerial assault since the start of the 2022 invasion. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Trump condemned the overnight barrage that killed at least 12 people and injured dozens more across Ukraine.

“What the hell happened to him? He’s killing a lot of people,” Trump said, before calling Putin “absolutely crazy” in a post on Truth Social. The statement marks a rare and sharp departure from Trump’s previously measured rhetoric regarding the Russian leader, whom he acknowledged having “always gotten along with.”

According to Ukrainian military sources, Russia fired a record 367 drones and missiles in a single night, triggering air raid sirens across several regions. Additional strikes were reported on Monday, including in Kharkiv, where local authorities confirmed that three civilians, including a child, were injured.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reacted strongly, criticizing Washington’s muted response to the intensified Russian offensive. “Silence from our allies only strengthens the aggressor,” Zelensky warned, urging the United States to impose tougher sanctions on Moscow.

Trump, when questioned about further punitive measures, confirmed that new sanctions were “absolutely” being considered. However, the Biden administration has yet to announce any new actions, despite growing international pressure.

In his Truth Social post, Trump reiterated his belief that Putin’s war aims include the full occupation of Ukraine. “If he does, it will lead to the downfall of Russia,” he warned. Still, Trump’s message also took aim at Zelensky, blaming the Ukrainian leader for escalating tensions. “Everything out of his mouth causes problems. I don’t like it, and it better stop,” he wrote.

The diplomatic landscape remains fragile. Trump recently held a two-hour phone call with Putin to discuss a proposed U.S.-backed ceasefire plan. He described the exchange as “very good” and expressed hope for a truce.

Although Kyiv has conditionally accepted a 30-day ceasefire proposal, Moscow responded with caution. Putin stated that Russia is open to working on a memorandum outlining a “possible future peace” — language that Ukrainian and European officials dismissed as a delay tactic.

The first direct peace talks between Ukraine and Russia since 2022 took place on May 16 in Istanbul, resulting in a substantial prisoner exchange but little progress toward ending the war.

As violence intensifies and diplomatic efforts hang in the balance, the international community is watching closely to see whether this shift in tone from Trump — combined with European efforts to draft new sanctions — can revive stalled negotiations and bring relief to war-weary Ukrainians.