Donald Trump has issued a stark warning that Russia would face its “downfall” if President Vladimir Putin attempts to take over all of Ukraine. At the same time, Trump criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a post on Truth Social Sunday night.
“I’ve had a strong relationship with Putin, but something’s changed—he’s gone completely CRAZY!” Trump posted. He reiterated his belief that Putin wants to take the entirety of Ukraine, not just parts of it, and cautioned that such a move could spell disaster for Russia.
Earlier that day, the U.S. president expressed shock that Putin had escalated strikes on Ukrainian cities despite efforts to negotiate a ceasefire. When asked whether he was considering imposing additional sanctions on Russia, Trump responded, “Absolutely. He’s killing a lot of people. What the hell happened to him?”
Trump didn’t spare Zelenskyy either, criticizing the Ukrainian leader’s rhetoric. “He’s not helping his country by the way he talks,” Trump wrote. “Everything he says stirs up trouble. I don’t like it, and it needs to stop.”
On the same day, Zelenskyy denounced the “silence of America” after Russia launched its most intense aerial assault in three years of war. The overnight barrage of drones and missiles left at least 12 dead, including three children.
According to Ukrainian authorities, Russia launched 298 drones and 69 missiles in several waves across the country. Zelenskyy called the attacks clear justification for increased sanctions on Russia.
Throughout his presidential campaign, Trump has repeatedly claimed he could end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours of taking office. However, the scale and ferocity of the weekend’s attacks starkly contradict his assertions that Putin seeks peace.
The assaults disrupted Kyiv Day festivities, forcing residents to seek shelter underground. Ukraine and its European allies have been urging Russia to agree to a 30-day ceasefire as a step toward ending the conflict. Despite this, Trump declined to impose new sanctions on Moscow for its refusal to pause hostilities, frustrating Ukrainian officials.
Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, emphasized the need for increased international pressure, warning that without it, Russia will continue to amass power and pose a growing threat—even beyond Ukraine.
