Trump Calls Out Putin Amid Russia’s Intense Air Assault on Ukraine
On a tense Sunday evening, former President Donald Trump publicly criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin following one of the most intense air attacks on Ukraine since the conflict began. Speaking candidly to reporters at a New Jersey airport, Trump didn’t hold back.
"I'm not happy with what Putin's doing. He's killing a lot of people," Trump said. "I've known Putin a long time, always gotten along with him, but now he’s sending rockets into cities and killing innocent people. I don’t like it one bit."
He expressed surprise and disappointment at Putin’s recent aggressive moves, especially the barrage of missile strikes on Kyiv and other urban centers. "We're in the middle of talks, and he's launching rockets into cities. I don’t like it at all. I'm very surprised."
When pressed on what the U.S. might do next, Trump was noncommittal, simply saying, "We'll see what we're going to do."
Trump’s Social Media Take: A Stern Warning and Tough Words for Zelensky
Following his on-camera remarks, Trump took to his platform, Truth Social, to reiterate his stance. He described Putin as “needlessly killing a lot of people,” emphasizing that the casualties are not limited to soldiers but also civilians.
One of the more striking elements in Trump’s message was his interpretation of Putin’s goals: “I’ve always said that he wants ALL of Ukraine, not just a piece of it. Maybe that’s proving to be right. But if he does, it will lead to the downfall of Russia.”
Trump didn’t hold back in his criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky either. He accused Zelensky of making the situation worse with his rhetoric. “Everything out of his mouth causes problems. I don’t like it, and it better stop.”
This blunt assessment added a layer of complexity to the already tense U.S.-Ukraine relationship.
Meanwhile, Ukraine Faces Massive Russian Strikes
In the early hours of Sunday, Zelensky gave a sobering update on the scale of Russia’s bombardment. Over the course of the night, nearly 300 attack drones and almost 70 missiles were launched across Ukraine, leaving at least 12 people dead.
Despite Russia’s claim that its air defenses intercepted 95 Ukrainian drones, the sheer volume and intensity of the attacks sent shockwaves through the region.
Zelensky, using his platform on X (formerly Twitter), was quick to condemn Russia’s ongoing aggression, pointing out that the war shows no signs of pause—even over weekends. “Russia is dragging out this war and continues to kill every day. The world may take a weekend break, but the war does not.”
His comments also targeted the United States directly, calling out what he described as America’s “silence.”
“Silence of America, silence of others around the world only encourage Putin,” Zelensky warned. “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.”
Calls for Ceasefire Echo Amid Continued Bloodshed
In the aftermath of the strikes, Keith Kellogg, Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, added his voice calling for an immediate ceasefire. Kellogg’s message on X was sharp and urgent:
“This is Kyiv. The indiscriminate killing of women and children at night in their homes is a clear violation of the 1977 Geneva Peace Protocols designed to protect innocents. These attacks are shameful. Stop the killing. Cease-fire now.”
His words highlighted the human cost of the conflict and underscored the need for urgent diplomatic action.
A Glimmer of Hope: Prisoner Swap Progress
Despite the heavy violence, some progress was made in prisoner exchanges. On Sunday, Zelensky announced that 303 Ukrainian defenders had returned home as part of the largest prisoner swap of the war to date.
This was part of the 1000-for-1000 exchange deal negotiated in Turkey earlier in the month. The deal represents a fragile but important diplomatic breakthrough between Russia and Ukraine.
However, it’s notable that the leaders of both countries—Putin and Zelensky—were not present at the talks. Putin had rejected Zelensky’s offer for an in-person meeting and did not attend the negotiations in Turkey, signaling ongoing distrust.
Behind the Scenes: Trump’s Two-Hour Call With Putin
In the middle of mounting global pressure for peace, Trump took a notable step by engaging Putin directly. On May 19, the two leaders spoke on the phone for two hours.
Trump described the conversation as “very good,” praising the tone and spirit of the discussion. He announced that ceasefire talks would begin “immediately,” sparking cautious optimism.
The former president also reached out to Zelensky and European leaders to keep the dialogue moving. After his call with Trump, Zelensky called it a “defining moment,” telling his followers that the world would now see if its leaders could deliver a lasting ceasefire and peace.
He stressed that Ukraine was ready for a full and unconditional ceasefire, warning that if Russia refused to stop the violence, then stronger sanctions and international pressure must follow.
The Rocky Road of U.S.-Ukraine Relations
The relationship between Trump and Zelensky has had its ups and downs. Early in the conflict, the two leaders clashed publicly, including a heated exchange caught on camera in the Oval Office in late February.
That confrontation, which revolved around ceasefire efforts, left the world watching the complexities of diplomacy unfold in real time.
But since then, the two have made strides toward more productive communication. Their first face-to-face meeting since the White House incident happened at the Vatican on April 26, ahead of Pope Francis’ funeral.
Following that meeting, Zelensky expressed optimism about the future. “Good meeting. We discussed a lot one-on-one. Hoping for results on everything we covered. Protecting lives of our people,” he shared on social media.
He called the encounter “very symbolic” and suggested it could be historic if both sides achieve tangible outcomes.
Why This Matters: The Bigger Picture
-
Massive Air Strikes: Russia’s recent use of nearly 300 attack drones and dozens of missiles marks one of the most aggressive phases of the war.
-
Civilians Caught in Crossfire: The indiscriminate targeting of urban areas puts innocent lives at grave risk, drawing international condemnation.
-
Diplomatic Efforts in Flux: While prisoner swaps and peace talks offer hope, the absence of direct dialogue between Putin and Zelensky keeps tensions high.
-
U.S. Role Under Scrutiny: Zelensky’s public rebuke of American silence highlights the pressure on the U.S. to take a firmer stance.
-
Potential Turning Points: Trump’s phone call with Putin and his engagement with Zelensky could signal a shift toward renewed diplomacy—if momentum holds.
Final Thoughts
This latest chapter in the Russia-Ukraine conflict underscores the brutal reality of war, where diplomatic breakthroughs often seem overshadowed by bloodshed. Trump’s rare public criticism of Putin — and his pointed words about Zelensky — reveal the complexity of international politics at play.
As the world watches, the hope remains that increased global pressure, strong sanctions, and ongoing dialogue might finally pave the way for peace. But with rockets still raining down on cities and thousands caught in the crossfire, the path ahead looks uncertain.
The only certainty is that the stakes are higher than ever — for Ukraine’s future, for regional stability, and for the global order.
Login