Donald Trump tells Vladimir Putin to ‘STOP!’ after deadly missile strikes on Kyiv

President Trump called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt attacks on Ukraine after a deadly missile strike on Kyiv killed at least 12 people and injured 90 others.

“I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying,” Trump wrote Thursday on social media. “Let’s get the Peace Deal DONE!”

The overnight bombardment was the deadliest attack on Ukraine’s capital since last summer. Mr. Trump’s message to Mr. Putin came one day after criticizing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy regarding peace negotiations.

The diplomatic situation involves Crimea, which Russia has occupied since 2014. Zelenskyy recently stated Ukraine “will not legally recognize the occupation of Crimea,” to which Trump responded that such statements were “very harmful to the Peace Negotiations.”

“Nobody is asking Zelenskyy to recognize Crimea as Russian Territory, but, if he wants Crimea, why didn’t they fight for it eleven years ago when it was handed over to Russia without a shot being fired?” Mr. Trump said, referring to the 2014 annexation as occurring “under the auspices of President Barack Hussein Obama.”

Mr. Trump has expressed impatience with the pace of peace talks. “I have my own deadline and we want it to be fast,” he stated before meeting with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt explained the administration’s position: “In order to make a good deal, both sides have to walk away a little bit unhappy,” adding that “President Zelenskyy has been trying to litigate this peace negotiation in the press, and that’s unacceptable to the president.”

Despite the challenges, Mr. Trump indicated progress with Russia while suggesting negotiations with Ukraine have proven difficult. “I think we have a deal with Russia. We have to get a deal with Zelenskyy, and I hope that Zelenskyy, I thought it might be easier to deal with Zelenskyy. So far, it’s been harder,” he told reporters.

Peace discussions continue, with officials meeting in London on Wednesday and special envoy Steve Witkoff expected to travel to Moscow for further talks with Putin.

Read more: Trump is not happy with Putin’s new missile, drone attacks on Ukraine