Trump Issues Stark Warning to Putin Over Ukraine Conflict

Trump's Warning to Putin

On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump cautioned Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating that he is 'playing with fire' by delaying the finalization of a peace deal regarding Ukraine. In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump remarked, 'What Vladimir Putin fails to understand is that without my intervention, Russia would have faced severe consequences, and I mean REALLY BAD ones. He is indeed playing with fire.'

This statement follows Trump's harsh criticism of Putin, accusing him of 'going absolutely crazy' and causing unnecessary harm to civilians in Ukraine.

Critique of the Ongoing Conflict

Trump expressed his disapproval of the ongoing war, asserting that Putin is 'needlessly killing many people,' emphasizing that the casualties extend beyond military personnel. He stated, 'Missiles and drones are being launched into Ukrainian cities without any justification.' Trump reiterated his belief that Putin's ambitions extend to 'ALL of Ukraine, not just a part of it,' warning that such aspirations could lead to 'the downfall of Russia.'

Trump's Remarks on Zelenskyy

Additionally, Trump criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, claiming that his rhetoric is detrimental to his country. Trump stated, 'Everything that comes out of Zelensky's mouth creates issues; I disapprove of it, and it needs to cease.' He characterized the conflict as one that would not have occurred if he were still in office, labeling it as 'Zelenskyy's, Putin's, and Biden's War, not mine.'

Zelenskyy's Response to Russian Attacks

On May 24, Zelenskyy reported a Russian drone and missile assault in Kyiv that targeted civilians, resulting in significant damage and casualties. In a post on X, he stated, 'We are clearing debris from Russian missiles and drones in Kyiv. Rescue operations are underway at the strike sites. There were numerous fires and explosions throughout the night, damaging residential buildings, vehicles, and businesses. Unfortunately, there are injuries.'

Zelenskyy detailed that Ukraine faced 250 strike drones, primarily Iranian 'Shaheds,' and 14 ballistic missiles, with regions including Odesa, Vinnytsia, Sumy, Kharkiv, Donetsk, Kyiv, and Dnipro suffering damages. He expressed condolences to the victims' families and reiterated Ukraine's calls for ceasefires and sanctions from the US, Europe, and its allies.