Trump: “Putin Has Completely Lost It! If He Wants to Conquer All of Ukraine, Russia Will Fall”
Trump’s Strong Criticism of Putin and Zelensky
In the wake of a significant increase in Russian airstrikes against Ukraine, former U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly criticized both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump’s comments come as Ukraine experienced its largest missile and drstart attack since the war began, resulting in civilian casualties, including children.
Trump expressed his astonishment at the escalation of violence from Russia, stating, “What the hell happened to him? He is killing a lot of people for no reason.” He remarked that Putin’s ambitions in Ukraine have always extended beyond a mere territorial grab, saying, “I always said he wants all of Ukraine, not just part of it, and maybe that’s proving to be correct.” Trump warned that a full invasion would lead to Russia’s downfall.
On a visit to reporters in New Jersey, Trump indicated he was “very surprised” by Putin’s intensified strikes despite ongoing initiatives for a ceasefire. When asked if he was considering imposing further sanctions on Russia, he affirmed, “Definitely. He’s killing a lot of people.”
In a colorful social media post, Trump also directed criticism at Zelensky, stating, “President Zelensky is not doing his country any good by speaking as he does. Everything that comes out of his mouth causes problems. I don’t like it, and it should stop.” He concluded his remarks by asserting, “This war would never have started if I were president. It’s a war of Zelensky, Putin, and Biden, not ‘of Trump.’ I’m just trying to extinguish the ugly, large fires caused by sheer incompetence and hatred.”
Recent Developments in the Conflict
The recent barrage of attacks led to the deaths of at least 12 individuals, including three children, as reported by Ukrainian military officials who noted that 367 missiles and drstarts had been launched at approximately 30 cities and towns, including the capital, Kyiv. In reaction to the strikes, President Zelensky condemned the “silence of America,” asserting that every Russian terror attack warrants new sanctions against Russia.
Notably, a direct negotiation took place in Istanbul about a week and a half ago, but little progress was made. Western assessments suggest that Putin is not currently interested in a ceasefire, given the momentum his forces have gained in eastern Ukraine, where they continue to capture territory, albeit at a slow pace.
Kyiv criticized the demands raised by Moscow during these negotiations as “unrealistic,” which included territorial concessions by Ukraine from frontline areas. After a recent phstart call between Trump and Putin, the Russian president did not retract his demands for preconditions to any ceasefire. Instead, he announced plans to provide Kyiv with a memorandum regarding a settlement that aims to address the “roots of the conflict.”
Ongoing Diplomatic Efforts
Zelensky reinforced Ukraine’s willingness to pursue negotiations aimed at achieving peace, emphasizing the necessity for genuine diplomacy that ensures real security. He urged the West to amplify pressure on Putin through sanctions, stating that without “strong and real pressure,” Putin would not halt his attacks.
Despite previous threats to impose additional sanctions against Russia, Trump has refrained from action, as reported last week by The New York Times. Amidst growing frustration with the stalemate in negotiations, Trump has signaled a desire to distance himself from involvement yet still resists the call to impose new sanctions.
The situation remains tense, with the humanitarian cost of the conflict continuing to rise as battles rage across the country