Criticism from Trump towards Putin following lethal attacks across Ukraine
Russia Faces Potential Increase in Sanctions Following Escalation of Attacks on Ukraine
U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed dismay over a series of deadly drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, and threatened Russia with more sanctions. The attacks have left 12 people dead and dozens more injured.
On Monday, the Ukrainian air force reported that Russia launched a record number of drones and nine cruise missiles against Ukraine overnight, marking the biggest drone attack on Ukraine since the start of the war. Ukraine claimed it shot down hundreds of drones but warned it needs more air defense systems to better protect its skies.
Trump criticized his counterpart in the Kremlin, Vladimir Putin, stating he was "not happy" with Putin's conduct. He added that Putin was "killing a lot of people" and that he would consider imposing more sanctions on Moscow.
In a subsequent post on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote that Putin has "gone crazy" and is needlessly killing a lot of people. He also criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for causing problems with his rhetoric.
Russia has recently experienced its largest aerial bombardment of the war so far on Ukraine despite repeated talks between Trump and Putin about the potential for a peace agreement. Moscow has claimed the strikes on Ukraine were in response to Ukrainian attacks on Russian civilian targets.
The escalating violence has raised concerns about the possibility of a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has suggested Russia is not sincere about signing a ceasefire deal and has urged international leaders to increase pressure on Putin.
The EU, UK, and other Western allies have already implemented sanctions on Russia in response to its ongoing invasion of Ukraine. The latest EU sanctions, announced on May 20, 2025, include measures targeting 189 additional vessels for the Russian "shadow fleet" involved in oil transport, as well as expanded individual and entity listings. The UK has also announced new sanctions, with a focus on the shadow fleet, while the U.S. is considering additional, robust sanctions, according to Senate Republicans.
In light of Trump's recent criticism and the potential for additional sanctions, Russia may face increased economic and diplomatic isolation if it continues its aggression in Ukraine. The international community is closely Monitoring the situation to determine the next steps in pressuring Russia to engage in good faith negotiations and respect Ukraine's sovereignty.
Politicians worldwide are expressing concern as the ongoing war-and-conflicts between Russia and Ukraine escalate, with President Trump threatening to impose more sanctions on Moscow in response to increased attacks. The general news is rife with reports of political tensions, as Trump criticizes Putin's conduct and accuses him of killing a lot of people, while Zelenskyy urges international leaders to increase pressure on Putin to sign a ceasefire.
