New Delhi: In a rare and sharp rebuke, US President Donald Trump on Saturday warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin “has to be dealt with differently”, following a deadly wave of missile attacks on Ukrainian civilian areas in recent days, including on the capital city of Kyiv that killed 12.
Trump in a post on social media platform Truth Social expressed scepticism about Putin’s willingness to end the war that began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Major shift in Trump’s assessment of Putin
“There was no reason for Putin to be shooting missiles into civilian areas, cities and towns, over the last few days,” Trump wrote. “It makes me think that maybe he doesn’t want to stop the war, he’s just tapping me along, and has to be dealt with differently, through ‘Banking’ or ‘Secondary Sanctions’? Too many people are dying!!!”
This marks a major shift for Trump, who has often been cautious in his public criticism of the Russian leader. Only a day earlier, Trump had suggested that Moscow and Kyiv were “very close to a deal” after his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, held talks with Putin in Moscow. But it seems the continued Russian strikes appear to have changed his assessment.
Trump-Zelenskyy meeting in Vatican city
The Trump-Zelenskyy meeting, which lasted about 15 minutes inside St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican during Pope Francis’ funeral, was the first direct conversation between the two leaders since a contentious Oval Office encounter in February. Zelenskyy described their latest meeting as “good” and expressed hope for “full and unconditional ceasefire” through diplomatic efforts.
The White House called the conversation “very productive” but provided few details, indicating that further talks could be forthcoming. Trump in an interview reiterated that Crimea “will stay with Russia”, suggesting he believes Ukraine’s demand for the return of all occupied territories is unrealistic — a position at odds with Kyiv’s own.
Meanwhile, Putin has told US envoy Witkoff that Russia is ready for negotiations “without preconditions”, according to the Kremlin. However, the continued assault on Ukrainian cities casts doubt over Moscow’s commitment to peace.
