In a rare instance of criticism directed at Vladimir Putin, former President Donald Trump on Thursday urged the Russian leader to ‘STOP!’ following a brutal attack on Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital.
In his post on Truth Social, Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with the recent strikes, saying, ‘I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Lets get the Peace Deal DONE!’
The comments arrived after a deadly barrage of missiles and drones unleashed by Russia on Kyiv, marking one of the most lethal assaults on the city since July of the previous year. The attack resulted in at least 12 fatalities and approximately 90 injuries.
Trump’s criticism appears to stem from a growing frustration with the ongoing U.S.-led efforts aimed at securing a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia. As discussions have failed to produce tangible results, Trump’s ire has also been directed at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Earlier in the week, Trump accused Zelenskyy of prolonging the violent conflict, arguing that acceptance of Russia’s annexation of Crimea should be part of the negotiations for peace. This territory was illegally annexed by Russia in 2014, and Zelenskyy has consistently maintained that acknowledging this annexation is a red line for Ukraine.
Zelenskyy reiterated his position on Thursday, recalling that Ukraine had previously agreed to a ceasefire proposal put forth by the U.S. about 44 days ago, highlighting that despite the readiness to negotiate, Moscow has continued its attacks unabated.
Trump has also highlighted the dynamics of power in the negotiations. He suggested that Putin holds the leverage in the discussion, stating, ‘Putin has the cards and Zelenskyy does not.’ He has previously expressed admiration for Putin and has suggested that Russia may be more amenable to a peace agreement than Ukraine.
On the same day, Trump’s diplomatic engagements included a meeting with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre to discuss the war in Ukraine, U.S. tariffs, and bilateral relations.
Gahr Støre emphasized on social media the importance of American-Norwegian cooperation, noting, ‘We must contribute to a lasting and just peace in Ukraine.’ Norway, a NATO member and a strong supporter of Ukraine, has a 123-mile border with Russia.
In related comments, French President Emmanuel Macron criticized Putin for continuing military actions while professing a desire for peace. During his visit to Madagascar, Macron demanded clarity from the Russian leader, asking, ‘Does President Putin agree to an unconditional ceasefire?’
Addressing Trump’s remarks about Zelenskyy’s stance on Crimea, the French Foreign Ministry cautioned against blaming Ukraine for the ongoing conflict. A spokesman reiterated, ‘The principle of Ukraine’s territorial integrity is not something that can be negotiated.’ This statement followed discussions held last week in Paris during which U.S. officials proposed that Russia maintain control over some occupied territories as part of a peace agreement.
The spokesman confirmed that during ongoing talks, it became apparent that while Ukraine was open to negotiations, the responsibility for the deadlock lay with Russia, as ‘it is the Russians who are slowing down the discussions.’
In other developments, the White House announced that Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, would visit Moscow for a fourth meeting with Putin regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on Thursday, with further discussions planned involving Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump’s national security adviser, Michael Waltz. Leaders from the NATO alliance, now consisting of 32 member nations, are scheduled to converge in the Netherlands in the coming months.
As NATO faces the second year of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, there has been a consensus among leaders to bolster military spending, aiming for each member nation to allocate at least 2% of GDP to their military budgets. Recent estimates showed that 22 allies reached this goal in 2022, in comparison to a previous projection of 23.
Rutte commented on the importance of increased NATO efforts, stating, ‘In 2025, we need to significantly increase our efforts to ensure NATO remains a key source of military advantage for all our nations. Our continued freedom and prosperity depend on it.’
As the conflict persists, the stakes for both Ukraine and the broader geopolitical landscape remain high, with calls for a resolution becoming increasingly urgent.
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