President Donald Trump called Russian President Vladimir Putin “absolutely crazy” after Russia launched the largest air attack of the war on Ukraine. He also said new U.S. sanctions on Russia are being considered.
“I’ve 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, and I’m not just talking about soldiers. Missiles and drones are being shot into cities in Ukraine, for no reason whatsoever,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Monday.
Trump also said that Russia’s aim to control all of Ukraine could ultimately lead to Russia’s downfall.
The President has also criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, saying: “Everything he says creates issues, I don’t like it, and it needs to stop.”
Trump’s remarks followed a massive Russian aerial assault on Sunday, during which Ukraine’s air force reported that 355 drones and nine cruise missiles were launched, striking Kyiv, Khmelnytskyi, and other regions. At least 12 people were killed, with many more injured. Ukrainian officials described it as the largest air attack since the war began in 2022.
In response to Trump’s statement, Russian spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, said Trump might be suffering from “emotional overload,” though he also thanked him for helping start peace talks.
Peskov said Putin is acting to protect Russia’s security and that the attacks were aimed at military targets.
Over 900 attack drones launched against Ukraine in just three days, along with ballistic and cruise missiles. There is no military logic in this, but it is a clear political choice of Russia – the choice to keep waging war.
Recently, a meeting was held in Istanbul. Now, the… pic.twitter.com/Al8rmTYPom
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 26, 2025
Zelenskyy, in his nightly video address, did not directly respond to Trump’s criticism. He said the repeated barrage of Russian attacks reflected Putin’s “political choice” and proved the Kremlin was not interested in ending the war.
“There is no military logic in this, but it is a clear political choice of Russia – the choice to keep waging war,” he said.
Zelenskyy also called on other countries to impose new sanctions against Russia: “New and strong sanctions against Russia — from the United States, from Europe, and from all those around the world who seek peace — will serve as a guaranteed means of forcing Russia not only to cease fire, but also to show respect,” he said.
