U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin had “gone absolutely CRAZY” for launching a large-scale aerial assault on Ukraine. He also mentioned he was considering additional sanctions on Russia, although he also took the opportunity to criticize Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Trump shared these remarks on social media as Ukrainians endured a third night of intense Russian drone and missile strikes, forcing many to stay awake amid the sound of aerial attacks and air defense responses.
“Something’s happened to him—he’s totally CRAZY!” Trump said on Truth Social, referring to Putin.
“I’ve always believed he wants all of Ukraine, not just part of it. Maybe I was right. But if he goes that far, it will lead to Russia’s downfall!”
Trump also reproached Zelensky, accusing him of worsening the situation with his rhetoric. “He’s doing no favors for his country with the way he talks. Everything he says creates issues. I don’t like it, and it needs to stop,” Trump wrote.
In response to Trump’s comments, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov thanked Trump and the American public for their role in seeking peace but suggested emotional stress might be influencing such statements.
“This is a critical moment filled with emotional intensity for everyone,” Peskov said.
Zelensky, in his nightly address, did not respond directly to Trump but said Russia’s ongoing attacks were clearly political choices made by Putin, underscoring Moscow’s lack of interest in peace.
“There is no military logic to this—just a clear political decision by Putin and Russia to keep the war going and destroy lives,” Zelensky said.
He noted that more than 900 drones and multiple missiles had been launched over three nights, arguing that Russia is manipulating diplomatic efforts and must face comprehensive international pressure to reduce its military capacity.
Both Russia and Ukraine are engaging in widespread drone warfare along key battle lines. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that the latest wave of Russian strikes targeted five areas, but provided few details.
In the western region of Khmelnytskyi—home to a military air base—seven cruise missiles and numerous drones struck infrastructure, damaging homes and factories. A 14-year-old boy was injured in Odesa, officials said.
Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed it had struck Ukraine’s Starokostiantyniv air base, asserting that its attacks were aimed at military sites in retaliation for Ukrainian strikes on Russian civilian areas.
“I’M NOT HAPPY”
Speaking to reporters in New Jersey, Trump said of Putin: “I don’t know what’s wrong with him. What the hell happened to him? He’s killing a lot of people. I’m not happy about it.”
He hinted at the possibility of fresh sanctions against Moscow.
The previous night marked Russia’s largest aerial attack of the war, with at least 367 drones and missiles launched, killing at least 12 people, including three children in northern Zhytomyr, according to Ukrainian officials.
Though other Russian attacks have had higher death tolls, this was the most intense in terms of the number of weapons used.
Ukraine has also conducted drone strikes, some targeting Moscow and briefly disrupting airports there.
While Trump has urged both Russia and Ukraine to end the war, now in its fourth year, no significant progress has been made, and Russian forces are advancing in eastern Ukraine.
European leaders have expressed frustration at their failure to sway Trump into taking stronger action against Russia, including the imposition of new sanctions.
French President Emmanuel Macron said he hoped Trump’s outrage at Putin might finally lead to meaningful measures that could deter further Russian aggression.
Russia continues to describe its actions as a “special military operation” aimed at defending itself from NATO’s expansion. Ukraine maintains it is facing an unprovoked invasion.
