Zelensky Speaks Out After Trump Blasts 'CRAZY!' Putin

 

Zelensky Urges U.S. to Respond with Force After Russian Strikes, Criticizes Impunity

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on the United States and its allies to confront Russia "by force" following a new wave of deadly missile and drone attacks over the weekend.

In a message posted on X (formerly Twitter), Zelensky emphasized that Russia’s continued escalation is fueled by a lack of consequences. His comments came after former President Donald Trump, in a rare rebuke of Vladimir Putin, wrote on Truth Social that the Russian leader has gone "absolutely CRAZY!" and is "needlessly killing a lot of people."

“Only a sense of total impunity allows Russia to carry out these attacks and escalate them further,” Zelensky said. “Like any criminal, Russia can only be stopped through force — the force of the United States, of Europe, and all nations that value life. Only strength can halt these attacks and bring about real peace.”

While Trump has begun publicly criticizing Putin’s actions in Ukraine, he has not backed concrete steps — such as new sanctions — that Kyiv and Western leaders argue are essential to push Russia toward serious peace negotiations.

Elina Beketova, a fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis, told Newsweek that Moscow is unlikely to make genuine concessions. “Russia won’t walk away from the negotiation table, but they also won’t offer anything meaningful. They'll keep talking while increasing their attacks,” she said.

Zelensky’s appeal followed Russia’s second consecutive night of large-scale missile and drone attacks. Ukraine’s air force reported that Russian forces launched 355 attack drones and nine cruise missiles on Monday alone.

According to The Moscow Times, Russian strikes the night before killed at least 13 people. Moscow launched 300 attack drones and 70 missiles targeting major Ukrainian cities including Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, Dnipro, Sumy, and Chernihiv.

“There’s no real military rationale behind these strikes, but there’s deep political symbolism,” Zelensky said, seemingly referencing Trump’s recent two-hour phone call with Putin. “By doing this, Putin shows his contempt for a world more invested in ‘dialogue’ than in pressure.”

Zelensky reiterated his call for a tougher response from the West: “Russia’s increase in attacks must be met with increased sanctions. The Kremlin’s refusal to consider a ceasefire must be answered by freezing Russian assets and cutting off oil revenues. I thank all those pushing for such a strong stance. Russia must be stripped of the resources that fuel its aggression.”

Trump, for his part, posted a statement on Truth Social Sunday, claiming: “I’ve always had a good relationship with Vladimir Putin, but something’s changed. He’s gone absolutely CRAZY! He’s killing people — not just soldiers — but civilians too, launching missiles into cities for no reason.”

He added, “I’ve said before: Putin wants all of Ukraine, not just a part. If he succeeds, it’ll mean Russia’s downfall. Still, Zelensky isn’t helping his country with the way he talks. Everything he says causes problems. I don’t like it, and it needs to stop.”

Trump insisted the war would never have started if he were president. “This isn’t Trump’s war. It’s Zelensky’s, Putin’s, and Biden’s. I’m just trying to put out the fires caused by incompetence and hate.”

Speaking separately to reporters, Trump said: “I’ve known Putin a long time, always got along with him. But now he’s killing civilians by launching rockets at cities. I don’t like it at all.”

Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov acknowledged Trump’s involvement in peace discussions, telling reporters: “We are sincerely grateful to the Americans and President Trump for helping initiate this negotiation process. But this is a difficult and emotionally charged time for all involved.”

However, Peskov also cautioned that reaching a peace deal with Ukraine would be “a long and painstaking process.”

Direct talks between Russia and Ukraine are expected to resume soon, Trump claimed. But observers like Beketova remain skeptical. “Only sanctions and credible deterrents can change Moscow’s calculus,” she told Newsweek.