INTERNATIONAL: Trump Slams Putin’s Escalation in Ukraine, Warns of Russia’s Downfall
Putin Acting Like a Madman, Says Trump
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has launched a scathing attack on Russian President Vladimir Putin, labeling his recent military actions in Ukraine as “madness.” Trump criticized the Kremlin’s continued aggression, especially as Russia intensified its aerial assault on Ukrainian territory during ongoing ceasefire negotiations.
In a strongly worded statement on his Truth Social platform, Trump expressed frustration over the human toll and warned of severe consequences for Russia if it persists with its full-scale invasion efforts.
“He Is Killing Unnecessarily” – Trump on Civilian Strikes
Trump highlighted that the Russian military’s actions extend beyond battlefield engagements, pointing specifically to missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian civilian zones.
“They are not just attacking military targets. They are bombing entire cities—missiles and drones launched for no valid reason,” he wrote. “This is beyond strategy. It’s chaos. Innocent lives are being lost needlessly.”
He warned that the ambition to annex all of Ukraine, rather than selected territories, would inevitably lead to the geopolitical and economic collapse of Russia.
Criticism of Both Leaders: Zelensky Also Under Fire
While targeting Putin, Trump also directed criticism at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. He argued that Zelensky’s rhetoric may be escalating the crisis further.
“The way he speaks invites more trouble than it solves,” Trump wrote. “His words are triggering. That’s not leadership. That needs to change.”
Claim of Preventability and Political Failure
Trump reiterated his longstanding claim that the Ukraine-Russia war would not have erupted under his leadership. He said he would have “doused the sparks of hostility” early on, blaming the Biden administration for allowing tensions to spiral into full-blown conflict.
“If I had been president three years ago, this war would never have begun,” he insisted. “This was triggered by a combination of incompetence and unchecked hatred.”
Russia’s Largest Strike Yet: 367 Missiles and Drones Launched
On Sunday, Russia launched what Ukrainian officials have described as the largest airstrike since the conflict began. According to Ukraine’s military sources, Russia deployed 367 drones and missiles across multiple regions, including the capital Kyiv.
The coordinated attack reportedly killed at least 12 civilians and left many others injured. Emergency services are still working through the aftermath in heavily targeted zones.
Zelensky’s Response to U.S. Inaction
Following the attack, President Zelensky warned that silence or hesitation from the U.S. could embolden Putin further. In his national address, he emphasized the need for unified global resistance to Russian expansionism.
“If America chooses silence now, Putin will only grow stronger,” Zelensky said.