After Russia launched a massive aerial assault on Ukraine, killing 13 people and sending hundreds of drones and missiles, former U.S. President Donald Trump strongly criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin. The attack came soon after a major prisoner swap between the two countries.
Trump Says He’s ‘Not Happy’ with Putin
Speaking at Morristown airport, Trump expressed frustration with the Russian leader.
“I’m not happy with what Putin is doing. He’s killing a lot of people, and I don’t know what the hell happened to Putin,” he said.
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.” According to AFP, Trump also confirmed that he is “absolutely” thinking about tougher sanctions on Russia in response to the recent attacks.
Trump’s Angry Reaction on Social Media
Later, Trump posted a strong message on his platform, Truth Social. He wrote that Putin “has gone absolutely Unbelievable!”
“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. 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 warned in the post.
Trump Also Criticizes Zelenskyy
However, Trump didn’t spare Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy either. He criticized Zelenskyy’s public comments, saying they often make things worse. “Likewise, 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 stated.
He also claimed that the conflict would never have happened if he were still in office. “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,” he declared.
Russia Hits Ukraine After Prisoner Swap
According to Reuters, Russia launched its biggest air attack of the war over the weekend. It sent 367 drones and missiles across Ukraine, striking multiple cities, including the capital, Kyiv. This large-scale offensive happened just after Russia and Ukraine carried out the largest prisoner swap since the war began three years ago. Each side exchanged around 1,000 prisoners. Tragically, the drone strikes killed 13 people, including three minors — an eight-year-old, a 12-year-old, and a 17-year-old, AFP reported.
Zelenskyy Demands Stronger Pressure on Russia
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy condemned the attacks and urged the international community to apply greater pressure on Moscow. “The war can be stopped, but only through the necessary force of pressure on Russia. Putin must be forced to think not about launching missiles, but about ending the war,” he posted on X.