President Donald Trump sharply criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday after Moscow launched what Ukrainian officials called the largest aerial assault of the war, targeting Kyiv and other cities with nearly 300 drones and dozens of missiles.
Trump, speaking to reporters in New Jersey, said he was “not happy” with the Russian leader and accused him of “killing a lot of people.”
Trump Condemns Putin’s Escalation in Ukraine
Speaking at Morristown Municipal Airport, Trump expressed his frustration over the brutal attack. “I’m not happy with what Putin is doing,” he said. “He’s killing a lot of people, and I don’t know what the hell happened to Putin.”
The president described the Russian bombardment—launched Sunday afternoon—as a major escalation, coming even as international negotiations were ongoing.
“He’s shooting rockets into Kyiv and other cities,” Trump added. “And I don’t like it at all. Not even a little bit.”
Trump also emphasized his long-standing relationship with Putin but expressed disbelief at the Russian leader’s recent actions.
“I’ve known him a long time, always gotten along with him,” he noted, “but he’s sending rockets into cities and killing people.”
Massive Russian Strike Kills Civilians, Sparks Global Reactions
According to Ukrainian officials, at least 12 people were killed and dozens injured in the overnight onslaught. The assault involved a staggering 298 drones and 69 missiles, making it the largest air attack by volume since the war began.
Although not the deadliest strike to date, the sheer scale of the operation underscored the escalating brutality of the conflict.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded with a public plea on Telegram, urging international leaders to respond. “The silence of America, the silence of others in the world only encourages Putin,” he warned. Zelenskyy called for new sanctions against Russia and more decisive action from Western allies.
Trump on Truth Social: Putin Has Gone ‘Absolutely CRAZY’
Later on Sunday, Trump expanded his remarks in a post on Truth Social, declaring that “Putin has gone absolutely CRAZY!” The president also took the opportunity to criticize both Zelenskyy and President Joe Biden, blaming their leadership for the ongoing war.
“I’ve always said that Putin wants ALL of Ukraine, not just a piece,” Trump wrote. “If he does, it will lead to the downfall of Russia.”
He then turned his focus to Zelenskyy, accusing the Ukrainian leader of “causing problems” with his rhetoric. “Everything out of his mouth causes problems, I don’t like it, and it better stop,” Trump warned.
In closing his Truth Social post, Trump sought to distance himself from the war in Ukraine, which he characterized as the product of failed leadership under Biden.
“This is a War that would never have started if I were President,” he wrote. “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.”
