Trump Condemns Putin’s Aggression on Ukraine, Considers Tougher Sanctions
Following Russia’s most intense aerial offensive on Ukraine to date, former U.S. President Donald Trump expressed strong disapproval of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s actions, calling them “absolutely crazy.” The airstrikes, which came shortly after a large-scale prisoner exchange between the two nations, involved hundreds of drones and missiles and resulted in the deaths of at least 13 people, including three children.
Speaking from Morristown Airport, Trump stated, “I’m not happy with what Putin is doing. He’s sending rockets into cities and killing people. I don’t know what the hell happened to him.” He emphasized his long-standing relationship with Putin but expressed shock at the recent escalation in violence.
When asked about further punitive measures, Trump confirmed that he is “absolutely” considering increasing sanctions against Russia in response to the latest attacks.
Later, on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump posted a strongly worded message criticizing Putin’s motives: “Putin has gone absolutely CRAZY! Missiles and drones are being fired into Ukrainian cities without any justification. I’ve always believed he wants to take over the entire country, and now it seems I was right. If that happens, it could mean the collapse of Russia itself.”
Interestingly, Trump also took aim at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, suggesting that Zelenskyy’s rhetoric was inflaming tensions. “He’s not helping his country by the way he talks. Everything he says just makes things worse. It needs to stop,” Trump said.
He reiterated his long-standing claim that the war would never have started if he were still in office: “This is the war of Zelenskyy, Putin, and Biden — not mine. I’m only stepping in to help extinguish the fires they’ve started through incompetence and hatred.”
The massive Russian attack targeted multiple cities, including the capital Kyiv, using over 360 drones and missiles, according to Reuters. Ukrainian officials reported that among the dead were children aged 8, 12, and 17.
President Zelenskyy responded to the assault by calling for stronger international pressure on Russia, stating: “This brutality won’t stop without real force. Only true pressure can force Putin to end this war.”
The strike follows a significant exchange of prisoners between Ukraine and Russia, with both nations swapping nearly 1,000 detainees over the weekend — the largest exchange since the war began.