Russia accuses Trump of 'emotional overload' after he brands Putin 'crazy' in wake of massive strikes on Ukraine
26 May 2025, 07:23 | Updated: 26 May 2025, 12:30
Donald Trump has branded Vladimir Putin “absolutely crazy” as he threatened Russia with fresh sanctions after the Kremlin launched a deadly wave of strikes on Ukraine.
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The President’s comments come after the last two days saw the most intense Russian aerial strikes on Ukraine since the February 2022 full-scale invasion.
At least 12 people died across the country and 38 were injured, Ukrainian authorities said Sunday morning.
Speaking to reporters before boarding Air Force One, the US President said: "I’m not happy with what Putin is doing. He’s killing a lot of people.
"I don’t know what the hell happened to Putin. I’ve known him a long time; always gotten along with him. But 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."
Read more: Three Ukrainian children killed in Russian strikes identified as siblings
He said he is "very surprised" by Putin's actions, adding he'll see what they're going to do about it but refused to tell the so-called "fake news".
He added: "I don't like what Putin is doing, not even a little bit. He's killing people. Something happened to this guy, and I don't like it."
Taking to Truth Social later on Sunday, Trump accused the Russian leader of going “absolutely crazy.”
He wrote: “I’ve always had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin of Russia, but something has happened to him. He has gone absolutely CRAZY!
“He is needlessly killing a lot of people, and I’m not just talking about soldiers. Missiles and drones are being shot into Cities in Ukraine, for no reason whatsoever.
Today, rescuers have been working in more than 30 Ukrainian cities and villages following Russia’s massive strike. Wherever necessary, work continues – our emergency services are on the ground, providing assistance and supporting people. Thank you.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 25, 2025
Nearly 300 attack drones were… pic.twitter.com/Mxx1a34kS2
“I’ve always said that he wants ALL of Ukraine, not just a piece of it, and maybe that’s proving to be right, but if he does, it will lead to the downfall of Russia! Likewise, President Zelenskyy is doing his Country no favors by talking the way he does.
“Everything out of his mouth causes problems, I don’t like it, and it better stop. This is a War that would never have started if I were President.
“This is Zelenskyy’s, Putin’s, and Biden’s War, not ‘Trump’s,’ I am only helping to put out the big and ugly fires, that have been started through Gross Incompetence and Hatred.”
Hitting back at Trump, the Kremlin accused him of "emotional overload" but thanked him for getting peace talks started.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the deadly attacks and called out the "silence" of world leaders.
In a post on X, he said: "Today, rescuers have been working in more than 30 Ukrainian cities and villages following Russia’s massive strike. Wherever necessary, work continues – our emergency services are on the ground, providing assistance and supporting people. Thank you."
He said nearly 300 attack drones were launched by Russia.
He added: "Each such terrorist Russian strike is a sufficient reason for new sanctions against Russia. Russia is dragging out this war and continues to kill every day.
"The world may go on a weekend break, but the war continues, regardless of weekends and weekdays. This cannot be ignored. Silence of America, silence of others around the world only encourage Putin."
The statement continued: "Without truly strong pressure on the Russian leadership, this brutality cannot be stopped. Sanctions will certainly help. Determination matters now – the determination of the United States, of European countries, and of all those around the world who seek peace.
"The world knows all the weaknesses of the Russian economy. The war can be stopped, but only through the necessary force of pressure on Russia.
"Putin must be forced to think not about launching missiles, but about ending the war."
The latest attacks took place ahead of the third and final day of a planned prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine.
The swap has amounted to the largest exchange of prisoners in more than three years of war.
In talks held in Istanbul earlier this month - the first time the two sides met face to face for peace talks since Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion - Kyiv and Moscow agreed to swap 1,000 prisoners of war and civilian detainees each.