Russia is responding strongly to criticism from President Donald Trump for launching the largest aerial attack on Ukraine since the war began over three years ago.
“We are really grateful to the Americans and to President Trump personally for their assistance in organizing and launching this negotiation process,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov said.
“Of course, at the same time, this is a very crucial moment, which is associated, of course, with the emotional overload of everyone absolutely and with emotional reactions.”
On Sunday, Trump said Russian autocrat Vladimir Putin had gone “absolutely CRAZY” for hitting Ukraine with the most powerful aerial bombardment since Russia began the war between the two countries over three years ago.
“I’ve always had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin of Russia, but something has happened to him. He has gone absolutely CRAZY! He is needlessly killing a lot of people, and I’m not just talking about soldiers. Missiles and drones are being shot into Cities in Ukraine, for no reason whatsoever,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
“I’ve always said that he wants ALL of Ukraine, not just a piece of it, and maybe that’s proving to be right, but if he does, it will lead to the downfall of Russia!”
Trump also criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s rhetoric and suggested the war never would have happened if he were in office at the time. Zelensky had criticized the U.S. for not speaking out against Russia’s attack on Sunday featuring 367 drones and missiles targeting 30 Ukrainian cities and towns.
The Russians continued attacking Ukraine on Monday, with a barrage of 355 drones and nine cruise missiles causing injuries and damage to infrastructure, Zelensky said. Given Russia’s continued aggression, Zelensky called for further sanctions on its finances and oil trade.
“Like any criminal, Russia can only be constrained by force. Only through strength — the strength of the United States, of Europe, of all nations that value life — can these attacks be stopped and real peace achieved,” Zelensky said.
“The increase in Russian strikes should be met with increased sanctions. Russia’s disregard for diplomacy and refusal even to consider a ceasefire must be met with a freeze on Russian finances and a halt to its oil trade.”
It is unclear whether Trump’s frustration with Putin will impact the administration’s attempt to pause the conflict with a cease-fire. Trump and Putin spoke on the phone last week and the U.S. President claimed afterwards that Russia and Ukraine would “immediately” begin cease-fire talks.
The Trump administration has proactively attempted to negotiate a temporary pause to the fighting between Russia and Ukraine to begin figuring out a permanent solution. The U.S. and Ukraine agreed to a long term minerals deal at the end of April giving the U.S. access to Ukraine’s abundance of rare earth resources in exchange for a security guarantee to protect Kyiv from future Russian aggression.
The war in Ukraine began when Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Russia’s neighbor in February 2022. Russia maintains control of a substantial portion of Ukrainian territory, despite falling short in its effort to conquer Ukraine.