Trump Criticizes Putin's Actions in Ukraine Amid Escalating Conflict

Hadisur Rahman, JadeTimes Staff   

H. Rahman is a Jadetimes news reporter covering the USA

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Image Source: Nathan Howard/REUTERS

Former President Donald Trump expressed his astonishment at the recent escalation of violence in Ukraine, following a significant aerial assault by Russian forces that resulted in multiple casualties. In a post on Truth Social dated May 25, Trump stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin has "gone absolutely crazy," reiterating his long-held belief that Putin aims to seize all of Ukraine rather than just a portion.

"I’ve always said that he wants ALL of Ukraine, not just a piece of it, and maybe that’s proving to be right, but if he does, it will lead to the downfall of Russia!" Trump remarked. He emphasized the humanitarian toll of the conflict, noting that Putin is "needlessly killing a lot of people, and I’m not just talking about soldiers," as missiles and drones continue to strike Ukrainian cities without justification. 

The recent Russian offensive involved a barrage of 367 drones and missiles targeting various Ukrainian cities, including the capital, Kyiv. This attack marked the largest aerial assault of the ongoing war, resulting in at least 12 fatalities and numerous injuries, according to Ukrainian officials. Trump has previously attempted to mediate a ceasefire between the warring parties and engaged in a lengthy conversation with Putin earlier this month.    

In response to Trump's comments, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov expressed discontent with the characterization of Putin's mental state, while also thanking Trump for his role in facilitating peace negotiations. "We are really grateful to the Americans and to President Trump personally for their assistance in organizing and launching this negotiation process," Peskov stated. He acknowledged the emotional strain surrounding the conflict, suggesting that it may have influenced reactions from various leaders.    

Trump's post also included criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whom he accused of exacerbating the situation with his rhetoric. "Everything out of his mouth causes problems, I don’t like it, and it better stop," Trump asserted, reflecting a sentiment he has expressed previously regarding Zelenskyy's handling of the crisis.   

This is not the first instance of Trump attributing blame to Zelenskyy for the war. In February, he criticized Ukraine's approach to the conflict, and in April, he remarked on Zelenskyy's focus on acquiring military aid, questioning the wisdom of engaging in a conflict with a significantly larger adversary. 

As the situation in Ukraine continues to deteriorate, Trump hinted at the possibility of imposing additional sanctions on Russia in light of the ongoing attacks, signaling a potential shift in U.S. policy towards the conflict.