Donald Trump is taking a tougher stance against Russian President Vladimir Putin as US-brokered peace talks over Ukraine have failed to yield any results.
In rare criticism, Trump warned that Russian leader Putin was “playing with fire”. Posting in his Truth Social Network on Tuesday, Trump wrote: “What Vladimir Putin doesn’t realize is that if it weren’t for me, lots of really bad things would have already happened to Russia and I mean REALLY BAD. He’s playing with fire!” Trump did not delve into what he meant by “really bad” actions of Putin.
His criticism follows Russia’s deadly attacks on Ukraine over the weekend, which became Moscow’s worst air raid since the start of the war three years ago. The record barrage of drone attacks killed at least 13 people in capital Kyiv.
Trump’s surprise rebuke is in stark contrast to his previous remarks in which he downplayed Russia’s relentless attacks on Ukraine. Trump has been accused by Ukraine and its western allies of being biased in favor of Russia and of emboldening Putin in its war of invasion. His latest rebuke of Putin underlines a shift in his foreign policy and illustrates his growing frustration with Putin. Trump has even floated the idea of imposing fresh economic sanctions against Kremlin. In remarks on Sunday after Russia’, the US leader acknowledged that he was “absolutely” considering scale up sanctions on Russia. On the same day, Trump posted on Social after Russia’s massive air raid on Kyiv: “I’ve always had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin of Russia, but something has happened to him. He has gone absolutely CRAZY!”
Trump has failed to deliver his pre-election pledge to finish the war in Ukraine.
