Trump labels Putin as 'insane' following colossal Russian drone assault on Ukraine
In a stark departure from his previous admiration, US President Donald Trump labeled his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, as "crazy" following Russia's deadly drone assault on Ukraine. This attack, which took the lives of at least 13 people, marked the most significant aerial attack by Moscow during the ongoing conflict.
The drone barrage, which targeted Ukrainian cities overnight from August 21 to 22, was a record-breaking offensive, with reports indicating that Moscow deployed a total of 355 drones and nine cruise missiles. Civilians also sustained injuries during the attack, although immediate deaths were not reported.
Trump, in a post on his Truth Social platform, expressed his disapproval of Putin's actions, stating, "Something has happened to [Putin]. He has gone absolutely CRAZY!" He added, "I've always said that he wants all of Ukraine, not just a piece of it, and maybe that's proving to be right."
Earlier on August 21, Trump had told reporters that he was "not happy" about the latest attack on Ukraine and was "absolutely" considering increasing sanctions on Moscow in response. Trump's comments represent a rare instance of Trump publicly rebuking Putin, echoing growing frustration in the US with Moscow's position in the stalemated truce negotiations with Kyiv.
Coinciding with the deadly drone attack, Ukraine and Russia completed a large-scale prisoner exchange. This exchange, which saw the return of 303 Ukrainian prisoners of war for an equal number of Russian soldiers held by Kyiv, marked the biggest prisoner swap since Russia initiated its full-scale invasion in February 2022. The total number of captured soldiers and civilian prisoners returned by both sides reached 1,000.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the exchange as complete, and footage captured former captives being received at a hospital in the northern Chernigiv region. One released captive, 58-year-old Viktor Syvak, described the emotional homecoming as "impossible to describe." Syvak had been held captive for 37 months and 12 days before his release.
Sources: AFP, AP
- Following the release of a statement on his Truth Social platform, there has been an increased analysis in the general news regarding US President Donald Trump's change in attitude towards Russian President Vladimir Putin, with the escalating war-and-conflicts in Ukraine serving as a catalyst for Trump's public rebuke of Putin.
- The recent prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia, a significant event in crime-and-justice and political circles, has raised questions about the potential impact on the ongoing conflict and stalemated truce negotiations, as well as the general sentiment towards Putin among world leaders, including Trump.
- The conflicting actions of both Russia and Ukraine, as demonstrated by their simultaneous military attacks and prisoner exchanges, highlight the complexity of the situation in Ukraine and the need for understanding and resolution, not just on the battlefield, but also in the realm of politics and diplomacy.
