Trump’s sharp rebuke of both Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy signals a shift in his tone on Ukraine, as peace talks and ceasefire efforts appear to be gaining momentum.
At a Glance
- Trump declared Putin “has gone absolutely crazy” over Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian cities
- He criticized Zelenskyy’s rhetoric, warning it “better stop”
- Kremlin responded by citing Trump’s “emotional overload”
- Trump envoy demanded ceasefire over Geneva Protocol violations
- Both Zelenskyy and Trump confirmed direct talks, including at the Vatican
Trump’s Break With Putin
In one of his most forceful condemnations yet, Donald Trump blasted Vladimir Putin for escalating the war in Ukraine. “He’s killing a lot of people,” Trump told CNN. “I don’t know what the hell happened to Putin!” The President, once criticized for being too close to Russia’s leader, now appears to be charting a new course—labeling Putin’s bombardment of civilian areas as intolerable and “absolutely crazy.”
Watch a report: Trump rips Putin’s Ukraine strikes
On Truth Social, Trump doubled down, condemning Russia’s recent drone and missile blitz against Kyiv. These unexpected comments may shift the geopolitical narrative that has long defined Trump as overly conciliatory toward Moscow.
Zelensky Also in the Crosshairs
Trump’s rebuke wasn’t reserved for the Kremlin. He also took aim at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, accusing him of inflammatory rhetoric that was “causing problems.” In a pointed Truth Social post, Trump warned, “Everything out of his mouth causes problems… and it better stop.”
Zelenskyy, for his part, had earlier slammed the West for its “silence” in response to new Russian attacks and warned of rising civilian casualties. This back-and-forth may complicate the fragile diplomatic dynamics already stretched thin by war fatigue and international frustration.
Kremlin and Ceasefire Response
Russia’s response to Trump’s comments came via Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, who dismissed the outburst as emotional but praised Trump’s role in earlier negotiation attempts. “This is associated with emotional overload,” Peskov said, adding that the Kremlin remained open to U.S.-brokered discussions.
Trump’s envoy, General Keith Kellogg, issued a direct appeal for peace, citing Geneva Convention violations and calling for an immediate ceasefire: “The indiscriminate killing of women and children is a clear violation… Cease-fire now.”
Signs of Real Diplomacy?
Despite the bombast, there are hints of genuine diplomacy at play. Trump reportedly spoke directly with Putin and later with Zelenskyy, who called the discussion a “defining moment.” The two also met recently at the Vatican, further suggesting a possible thaw between the camps and a pathway toward de-escalation.
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Trump’s shift, while Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen condemned Russia’s civilian targeting as undermining negotiation credibility.
The War Grinds On
On the ground, the Russia-Ukraine conflict remains a bloody stalemate. Russia claimed it downed 95 Ukrainian drones last week, while Ukraine reported new waves of missile strikes. Despite the violence, a recent prisoner swap—returning 303 Ukrainian defenders—hinted at some behind-the-scenes cooperation.
Whether Trump’s unexpected pivot spurs broader diplomatic breakthroughs or merely resets political narratives remains to be seen. What is clear: both Kyiv and Moscow are now treating Trump as a central figure in any serious peace discussion.
