By Ethan Caldwell 
President Donald J. Trump issued a strong rebuke of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent intensification of attacks on Ukraine, describing the actions as “absolutely crazy” and warning that continued aggression could lead to “the downfall of Russia.” The statement follows Russia’s largest air raid in three years, which involved nearly 300 drones and 69 missiles targeting Ukrainian cities, resulting in at least 12 deaths, including three children, and significant civilian injuries.
Speaking to reporters in New Jersey before boarding Air Force One on Sunday, President Trump expressed frustration with Putin’s escalation, stating, “He’s sending rockets into cities and killing people, and I don’t like it at all.” He emphasized ongoing ceasefire negotiations, noting, “We’re in the middle of talking, and he’s shooting rockets into Kyiv and other cities.” In a post on Truth Social later that evening, Trump further criticized Putin’s actions as “needlessly killing a lot of people” and suggested that Putin’s ambition to seize all of Ukraine could have catastrophic consequences for Russia.
President Trump also indicated that the United States is considering additional sanctions on Russia in response to the intensified attacks. When asked about the possibility, he affirmed, “Absolutely,” signaling a potential shift in U.S. policy to increase pressure on Moscow.
The President’s comments came alongside criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with Trump stating that Zelenskyy’s public statements are “doing his country no favors” and urging him to moderate his rhetoric to facilitate peace talks. Trump’s remarks follow Zelenskyy’s condemnation of U.S. silence after the recent Russian strikes, with the Ukrainian leader calling for stronger international sanctions and describing Russia’s actions as “terrorist” attacks.
The White House reiterated its commitment to pursuing a ceasefire, with Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, condemning the Russian attacks as “shameful” and calling for an immediate ceasefire. European allies, including Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, echoed the call for new sanctions, emphasizing that Russia’s continued aggression demands a robust international response.
The U.S. administration continues to engage in diplomatic efforts to broker peace, with President Trump expressing hope for a resolution despite the challenges posed by Russia’s ongoing military actions. The White House has not released specific details on potential sanctions but affirmed that all options remain under consideration to address the crisis.
Andreas Lundberg