President Donald Trump has issued his strongest rebuke yet of Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling him “absolutely crazy” and warning that his continued aggression in Ukraine could lead to the downfall of Russia itself. The statement came in response to the largest aerial assault of the war, as Russia launched a massive barrage of drones and missiles across multiple Ukrainian cities, killing at least a dozen civilians and injuring many more, including children.
“Putin has gone absolutely crazy,” Trump said. “He’s needlessly killing a lot of people, and he’s risking the collapse of Russia with this insanity.”
The comments mark a dramatic shift in tone for Trump, who has previously taken a more diplomatic approach in public remarks about the Russian leader. But following the unprecedented scale of Russia’s latest attack, Trump made clear that the time for patience has ended. He described Putin’s actions as reckless and devoid of strategic purpose.
Despite the tough stance on Putin, Trump also expressed frustration with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He criticized Zelenskyy’s repeated public demands for U.S. and NATO escalation, urging the Ukrainian leader to “tone down the rhetoric” and avoid inflaming tensions even further.
Trump’s comments come as the White House weighs new economic sanctions against Russia. While he stopped short of announcing specific measures, Trump confirmed that tighter sanctions are on the table. “We’re definitely considering it,” he said. “If this continues, there will be consequences.”
The Kremlin responded cautiously, dismissing Trump’s remarks as “emotional” but stopped short of a full diplomatic retaliation. Russian officials suggested Trump’s statements were driven more by political pressure than policy intentions.
This latest escalation highlights the fragile state of international diplomacy as the war in Ukraine grinds into a third year. Trump’s dual criticism of both Putin’s military aggression and Zelenskyy’s combative posture signals a push for de-escalation—but not without clear accountability.
As tensions rise, Trump’s comments are being closely watched by allies and adversaries alike. Whether his words translate into a shift in U.S. policy remains uncertain, but his warning to Putin is unambiguous: the path Russia is on could be catastrophic—not just for Ukraine, but for the future of Russia itself.