Trump Labels Putin “Crazy” Following Ukraine Attack Surge

Trump Labels Putin “Crazy” Following Ukraine Attack Surge

Former US President Joe Biden and Western European leaders view Russia’s actions in 2022 as an “imperial-style land grab” and are concerned about Russia’s ambitions potentially threatening NATO.

RMN News World Desk
May 26, 2025

US President Donald Trump called his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, “crazy” following one of the largest airstrikes on Ukraine since the conflict began. Trump stated on May 26 that he had always maintained a good relationship with Putin, but “something has happened to him”.

He accused Putin of “needlessly killing a lot of people,” including civilians, by shooting missiles and drones into cities in Ukraine “for no reason whatsoever”. Trump warned that any attempt by Moscow to take “ALL of Ukraine” would “lead to the downfall of Russia”.

This strong language from Trump comes after he had recently expressed growing frustration with Russia’s stance in stalled truce negotiations with Ukraine. Previously, he issued a rare rebuke to Putin, stating he was “not happy” with him following a record number of drone attacks on Ukraine that killed 13 people.

Speaking on the tarmac at Morristown airport, Trump reiterated, “I’m not happy with what Putin is doing. He’s killing a lot of people… I don’t know what the hell happened to Putin”. He added, “I’ve known him a long time, always gotten along with him, but he’s sending rockets into cities and killing people, and I don’t like it at all”.

The intensification of Russian attacks, which included civilian deaths, occurred as the two countries completed their biggest prisoner swap since February 2022. Following these attacks, Trump indicated he was “absolutely” considering increasing US sanctions on Russia. This position, however, appeared “at odds” with testimony from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who reportedly said Trump believed threatening sanctions at that moment would cause Russians to “stop talking”.

Trump also directed criticism towards Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for “talking the way he does”. Trump stated, “Everything out of his mouth causes problems, I don’t like it, and it better stop”. He maintained his belief that the conflict “would never have started if I were President“, labeling it “Zelenskyy’s, Putin’s, and Biden’s War, not “Trump’s,”“. Trump claimed he is only helping to manage the problems started through “Gross Incompetence and Hatred”.

Despite Trump’s harsh assessment of recent events, the sources indicate that following a two-hour phone call between Trump and Putin last Monday, Putin has signaled that Moscow is prepared to work with Ukraine to end the ongoing conflict. According to Putin, Russia is ready to propose and collaborate with the Ukrainian side on a memorandum for a possible future peace accord.

This proposed accord would outline points such as the principles of settlement and the timing of an agreement. Putin stated that progress towards peace would require setting terms for a ceasefire, including its duration. Ukraine, along with European partners and the US, have called for an immediate, unconditional 30-day ceasefire.

After their conversation, Trump stated that Moscow and Kyiv would “immediately start negotiations towards a ceasefire“. Putin reportedly thanked Trump for supporting the restart of direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, which recently resumed in Turkey. While Putin noted that Trump acknowledged Moscow’s stated commitment to a peaceful resolution, significant challenges reportedly remain. Putin stressed that peace depends on addressing what he termed the “root causes of this crisis“.

However, European leaders have expressed doubt about Putin’s sincerity, fearing that he and Trump might try to impose a punitive peace deal on Ukraine that could lead to the loss of significant territory and leave Ukraine without strong security guarantees.

Former US President Joe Biden and Western European leaders view Russia’s actions in 2022 as an “imperial-style land grab” and are concerned about Russia’s ambitions potentially threatening NATO. Russia denies such intentions. Putin frames the conflict as a crucial moment related to NATO’s eastward expansion and encroaching on Russia’s influence.