Trump also delivered sharp criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, calling for a change in his rhetoric.
U.S. President Donald Trump has slammed Russian President Vladimir Putin for launching the largest aerial assault of the war on Ukraine, labelling him "absolutely CRAZY" and warning of dire consequences for Russia if its aggression continues.
In a post on social media, Trump also delivered sharp criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, calling for a change in his rhetoric.
“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 is needlessly killing a lot of people, and I’m not just talking about soldiers!” Trump posted on Truth Social in reference to Putin.
“Missiles and drones are being shot into Cities in Ukraine, for no reason whatsoever. I’ve always said that he wants ALL of Ukraine, not just a piece of it, and maybe that’s proving to be right, but if he does, it will lead to the downfall of Russia!”
The remarks came after Russia launched an unprecedented overnight bombardment on Ukrainian cities, deploying at least 367 drones and missiles.
Ukrainian officials confirmed that 12 people were killed in the strikes, including three children in the northern region of Zhytomyr. The attack marked the most extensive aerial offensive in terms of weapons fired since the war began.
Despite his rebuke of Putin, Trump also turned his ire toward the Ukrainian president.
“Likewise, President 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. This is a War that would never have started if I were President,” he said.
“This is Zelenskyy’s, Putin’s, and Biden’s War, not “Trump’s,” I am only helping to put out the big and ugly fires, that have been started through Gross Incompetence and Hatred.”
Meanwhile, the war in Ukraine, now in its fourth year, continues to escalate. Russian forces are making gains in eastern Ukraine as both sides launch swarms of drones in increasingly high-tech battles along the frontlines.
The Kremlin maintains that its military action is a "special military operation" aimed at countering NATO’s influence near its borders, while Ukraine and its Western allies view it as an unprovoked act of aggression.