President Donald Trump issued a sharp condemnation of Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday, responding to renewed missile strikes on Ukrainian cities during ongoing but fragile diplomatic discussions.
Speaking after returning to the White House from an event at West Point Military Academy, Trump said the recent violence is jeopardizing peace efforts and warned of serious consequences for Russia.
“I’m not happy with what Putin’s doing, he’s killing a lot of people,” Trump told reporters gathered on the tarmac.
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The president criticized the Russian leader’s behavior as destabilizing and irrational.
“I don’t know what the hell happened to Putin… something happened to this guy, and I don’t like it,” he said. In a separate statement later in the evening, Trump added, “He has gone absolutely CRAZY!”
The remarks followed a weekend missile barrage that struck several Ukrainian cities, including the capital, Kyiv.
Ukrainian authorities said multiple civilians were killed in the assault, which they described as a “large-scale Russian drone and missile attack.”
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President Trump confirmed he is “absolutely” considering new sanctions in response to the renewed violence, which he says threatens ongoing discussions.
While he declined to offer specific details, Trump said stronger measures are being evaluated if Moscow continues to pursue a full takeover of Ukraine.
“If he does, it will lead to the downfall of Russia,” Trump warned, making it clear that any attempt by Putin to expand control over Ukrainian territory will come at a steep cost.
The president also expressed frustration with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, urging him to moderate his public rhetoric.
“President Zelenskyy is doing his Country no favours by talking the way he does,” Trump said.
“Everything out of his mouth causes problems, I don’t like it, and it better stop.”
The comments mark one of the strongest public rebukes of Putin since the war in Ukraine escalated in early 2022, and come amid signs that peace talks are facing new obstacles.
Despite a major prisoner exchange that took place over the weekend, there has been no indication that further negotiations are scheduled.
Russian officials confirmed last week that no new peace discussions had been planned.
Trump criticized the timing of the missile strikes, suggesting they directly undermined ongoing diplomatic efforts.
“We’re in the middle of talking and he’s shooting rockets into Kyiv and other cities, and I don’t like it at all,” he said.
“I’m surprised, I’m very surprised. We’ll see what we’re going to do.”
.@POTUS: “I’m not happy with what Putin’s doing… he’s sending rockets into cities and killing people — and I don’t like it AT ALL. We’re in the middle of talking and he’s shooting rockets into Kyiv and other cities. I don’t like it at all.” pic.twitter.com/dBxCD9K6s4
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 25, 2025
The president’s comments reflect a growing impatience with both sides, as efforts to reach a diplomatic resolution remain stalled.
Trump has long positioned himself as the only leader capable of negotiating an end to the war, though both Moscow and Kyiv continue to hold hardline positions on territorial claims and political sovereignty.
As the war approaches the three-year mark in its current phase, the situation remains volatile, and the potential for escalation remains high.
With Trump signaling a willingness to impose tougher sanctions and crack down on continued Russian aggression, international attention is once again focused on the White House’s next move.
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