In a striking departure from his previously conciliatory tone toward the Kremlin, U.S. President Donald Trump has launched a sharp rebuke against Russian President Vladimir Putin, declaring him “absolutely crazy” and warning that an attempt to seize all of Ukraine could lead to the collapse of Russia.
Trump made the remarks in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, as Russia continues to intensify its drone and missile attacks across Ukrainian cities.
“I’ve always had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin of Russia, but something has happened to him. He has gone absolutely CRAZY!” Trump wrote.
“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.”
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Sharp Shift in Tone
The comments mark one of the most direct criticisms Trump has made against Putin, whom he has long been accused of handling with kid gloves. The US president, now in his second term, had previously emphasized his rapport with the Russian leader. However, his latest statements suggest a growing frustration with Moscow’s escalated military campaign in Ukraine.
“I’ve always said that he wants all of Ukraine, not just a piece of it,” Trump added. “Maybe that’s proving to be right, but if he does, it will lead to the downfall of Russia.”
Criticism of Zelenskyy and Biden
Trump didn’t stop with Putin. He also lashed out at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, accusing him of fueling tensions with his rhetoric.
“President Zelenskyy is doing his country no favors by talking the way he does. Everything out of his mouth causes problems. I don’t like it, and it better stop,” Trump said bluntly.
He also distanced himself from the war altogether, placing blame on the leaders of Russia, Ukraine, and the U.S. under his predecessor, President Joe Biden.
“This is Zelenskyy’s, Putin’s, and Biden’s war — not Trump’s. I am only helping to put out the big and ugly fires that have been started through gross incompetence and hatred.”
Sanctions and Strategy?
In a separate interview with reporters hours before his social media post, Trump appeared to reaffirm his changing stance on Putin, suggesting that “something has happened to him.”
“I don’t know what the hell happened to Putin. I’ve known him a long time… but he’s sending rockets into cities and killing people, and I don’t like it. Not even a little bit,” Trump said.
“He’s killing people. And something happened to this guy, and I don’t like it.”
He also hinted that new sanctions against Russia are being considered by his administration, though he did not offer specifics.
Trump’s rhetoric signals a potential shift in U.S. foreign policy rhetoric and may impact future diplomatic calculations as the Ukraine war enters a new phase. The remarks come amid growing international concern over the humanitarian toll of Russia’s ongoing bombardment, which has intensified in recent weeks.
Political analysts suggest Trump’s new tone may be aimed at rebranding his foreign policy posture, especially given past criticisms of his approach to authoritarian leaders.
