In response to the intensification of Russian strikes in Ukraine over the weekend, Donald Trump expressed his growing exasperation with Vladimir Putin, while also directing harsh criticism at Volodymyr Zelensky. In a message posted Sunday evening on X, the American president condemned what he called a troubling shift in his Russian counterpart: “Something happened to him. He’s gone completely CRAZY!”
Trump, who has long boasted of having "very good relations" with Putin, now claims that the Russian president is driven by a desire to annex all of Ukraine – which, according to Trump, would lead to "the fall of Russia." He added: “He is needlessly killing a lot of people, and I’m not just talking about soldiers. Missiles and drones are being sent to cities for no reason.”
This statement comes as Russia carried out its largest air raid since the beginning of the war, launching nearly 300 drones and 70 missiles within 48 hours, causing the deaths of at least 12 civilians, including several children. The American president had said on Sunday, in front of a group of journalists, that he was “very surprised” that his Russian counterpart had intensified his military campaign in Ukraine despite Trump’s diplomatic efforts.
Fragile Negotiations in the Background
Despite this sharp rhetoric, Trump continued to position himself as a mediator. Last week, he had a phone call with Putin. The two men discussed a possible truce and the continuation of prisoner exchanges between Moscow and Kyiv. A major operation actually took place this past weekend, with more than a thousand detainees released on each side, both civilians and military personnel. This diplomatic gesture, orchestrated with Turkey’s support, was meant to be a step toward de-escalation. But the deadly strikes that followed cast serious doubt on the sincerity of the Kremlin’s intentions.
Zelensky Under Fire
Trump didn’t spare the Ukrainian president either, claiming that Zelensky “is not doing his country any favors by speaking the way he does.” He accused him of inflaming the situation with his statements and urged him to change his tone. These remarks followed Zelensky’s reaction on Sunday morning, when he sharply criticized American inaction in the face of intensified Russian strikes in Ukraine. He was responding to the massive air assault – the most significant since the start of the invasion three years ago. For the second night in a row, waves of drones and ballistic missiles struck several regions, killing at least 12 people, including three children. Ukrainian authorities confirmed that Russia had launched 298 drones and 69 missiles across the country in a series of coordinated attacks.
For the Ukrainian president, the bombings further justify the need for new sanctions on Moscow. But Trump remains vague on any concrete action, merely replying “absolutely” when a journalist asked whether he would consider tightening American sanctions.
The Illusion of Control
In the midst of his presidential campaign, Trump claimed that he could have “ended the war in 24 hours” if he had been in office in 2022. Since his election, he has presented himself as the only one capable of negotiating with both sides, relying on his personal relationship with Putin. Yet the latest attacks demonstrate the difficulty – if not impossibility – of restraining the Russian president through personal ties alone. On the European side, calls for a firmer international response are multiplying. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas urged increased pressure on Moscow, denouncing a clear intent to annihilate Ukraine. Berlin, for its part, mentioned new sanctions in preparation.
As the war in Ukraine enters its third year, diplomatic balances remain precarious. Trump is trying to preserve his image as a peacemaker, but his harsh criticism of leaders on both sides raises questions about the future of a diplomatic resolution, especially if the American president decides to walk away.
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