Sizzling Take: Trump Tells Putin to Cut it Out Over Kyiv Attack
Trump, in an unusual move, admonishes Putin, urging him to halt actions following a lethal strike on Kyiv.
Washington - In a unexpected move, former President Donald Trump took Russian leader Vladimir Putin to task, urging the Kremlin boss to "can it" after a hail of attacks on Kyiv, Ukraine's capital, left over a dozen people dead and scores injured.
The no-nonsense edict came in a tweet on Trump's Truth Social platform Thursday, where he also blasted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for prolonging the war by holding onto Ukraine's Crimea Peninsula, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014.
"I'm not feeling this Russian onslaught on KYIV," Trump wrote. "Not cool, and it's a crappy time. Vladimir, chill the frack out! 5000 soldiers a week are biting the dust. Let's get the peace deal sewn up!"
Russia retaliated with an hours-long barrage of missiles and drones, marking the deadliest attack on the city since last summer.
Trump's frustration boils over as a U.S.-led push for a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia has faltered, with talks bogged down over Ukraine's insistence on regaining Crimea.
"I used to think dealing with Zelensky would be easier," Trump griped to reporters Wednesday. "But so far, it's a pain in the ass. But that's cool."
Eastern Flames
As the world watches the standoff between Ukraine and Russia, Norway, a member of NATO and a staunch ally of Ukraine, shares a roughly 123-mile border with Russia. Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre will sit down with Trump on Thursday to discuss the war and other issues, with Støre stressing the importance of close cooperation between the U.S. and Norway in seeking a lasting peace in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron called Putin a liar, claiming that Putin's pleas for peace ring hollow while his military continues to pound Ukraine. "The only answer we are waiting for is whether President Putin agrees to an unconditional ceasefire," Macron said during a visit to Madagascar Thursday. "The Americans' anger should be focused on one person: President Putin."
Hardball Diplomacy
Critics question Trump's proposal for allowing Russia to maintain control of Crimea and other occupied territories as part of a peace agreement. French officials have reportedly pushed back against the plan, insisting that Ukraine's territorial integrity is non-negotiable. Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is slated to visit Moscow this week for further talks with Putin.
[1] Madhani and Petrequin, Associated Press
### Extra: Spotlight + Rubio: U.S. to chuck Ukrainian-Russian peace efforts if progress not seen soon + U.K. and France accuse Putin of dragging feet on Ukraine ceasefire negotiations + Calmes: America, former colonizer, making a comeback?
- The high death toll and injuries in Kyiv due to recent attacks have prompted Donald Trump to urge a ceasefire in the ongoing war-and-conflicts between Ukraine and Russia.
- Trump's tweet called out Russian President Vladimir Putin, criticizing him for prolonging the war by not relinquishing control over the Crimea Peninsula.
- In General News, Norway, a NATO ally of Ukraine, is set to discuss the war with Trump, with a focus on seeking a lasting peace and leveraging close cooperation.
- French President Emmanuel Macron has accused Putin of dishonesty, claiming that his calls for peace are empty while there's ongoing aggression towards Ukraine.
- The potential for peace talks may face obstacles, as Trump's proposal for maintaining Russian control over Crimea and other occupied territories is being met with resistance, particularly from the French officials who stress the importance of Ukraine's territorial integrity.
