US President Donald Trump has issued his strongest condemnation yet of Russian President Vladimir Putin, following the largest aerial bombardment of Ukraine since the start of the full-scale war.
The remarks come as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy calls for a sweeping international response, including a full blockade of Russian financial flows and a ban on oil trade.
In a statement early on Monday, Ukraine’s Air Force reported that Russia had launched 355 attack drones—most of them Iranian-made Shaheds—alongside nine cruise missiles during the night of 25–26 May. The strikes affected regions across the country, from Chernihiv to Odesa. The bombardment marked the third consecutive night of combined drone and missile attacks.
At least 12 civilians were killed, including three children—Tamara (12), Stanislav (8), and Roman (17)—according to local authorities. Kyiv, Odesa, and Mykolaiv were among the cities targeted, with explosions causing widespread damage.
Speaking to reporters in New Jersey, President Trump said: “I’m not happy with Putin. I don’t know what’s wrong with him. He’s killing a lot of people. I’m not happy about that.” Referring to the latest escalation, Trump added: “He’s sending rockets into cities and killing people, and I don’t like it at all.”
The President later posted a more forceful statement on his social media platform Truth Social: “I have 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… 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!”
In the same post, Trump also criticised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, writing: “Zelenskyy is doing his country no favours by talking the way he does. Everything out of his mouth causes problems. I don’t like it, and it better stop.”
The Kremlin responded to Trump’s remarks by accusing him of “emotional overload”, but also confirmed that talks with the United States over a potential negotiated settlement were ongoing. “We are grateful to President Trump for helping launch this process,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. He also claimed that the recent Russian attacks targeted military infrastructure and were in response to Ukrainian operations against Russian territory.
However, President Zelenskyy rejected suggestions that diplomacy could continue while Russian strikes escalate. In a statement issued midday on 26 May, he said: “This was already the third night of combined Russian terror—attack drones and missiles. Only a sense of total impunity can allow Russia to launch such strikes and constantly increase their scale. There is no military sense in this, but there is political intent. Putin is showing how much he despises the world, which invests more effort in ‘dialogue’ with him than in pressure.”
Zelenskyy called for a robust international response: “Only through strength—the strength of the United States, the strength of Europe, the strength of all nations that value life—can we achieve a complete end to these attacks and real peace. In response to escalating Russian strikes, sanctions must be increased. In response to Russia’s rejection of diplomacy and refusal even to agree a ceasefire, there must be a blockade of Russian finances and oil trade.”
The Ukrainian president thanked those international partners who have already endorsed a strong sanctions agenda and continue working to deprive the Kremlin of resources for its war effort.
US envoy to Ukraine, retired General Keith Kellogg, condemned the Russian attacks as “shameful” and called for an immediate ceasefire. However, his intervention came only after the second night of bombardment, prompting further criticism of Washington’s delayed reaction.
Analysts say Trump’s sharp tone reflects concern over how Putin’s actions are undermining his efforts to position himself as a broker of peace. While Trump has repeatedly insisted that he is working to stop the war and save lives, continued Russian strikes during the negotiation process risk damaging his credibility both at home and internationally.
Zelenskyy’s recent comments highlighting the absence of strong international reaction appear to have exacerbated Trump’s frustration. Observers suggest that the Ukrainian leader’s public statements—particularly his warning that silence only encourages further aggression—have contributed to a shift in American public opinion, and increased pressure on the White House to act.
As calls mount for tougher sanctions, especially in the energy and financial sectors, attention now turns to whether Trump’s remarks will be followed by concrete measures. No new US sanctions have yet been announced, and the White House has not confirmed whether additional military support to Ukraine is under consideration.
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