US President Donald Trump commented Russian President Vladimir Putin is “playing with fire” as Putin refused to engage in talks regarding a ceasefire in Ukraine.
Following a massive drone attack on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, by Russia, Trump called out his Russian counterpart as Putin supposedly “has gone completely CRAZY” late last Sunday. The attack killed at least 13 people.
On Tuesday, on his social media website—Truth Social—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!” he added.
Though the US President did not specify what the “really bad” things were, both CNN and the Wall Street Journal reported that he was considering fresh sanctions against Moscow. This development could start as early as this week but he could also change his mind later.
According to Trump, Putin has agreed to “immediately” start ceasefire talks during a phone call that happened eight days ago between the two leaders. Despite this, Russia’s attacks on Ukraine continues.
In contrast, Moscow has accused Kyiv of attempting to “disrupt” efforts leading to peace, and commented that its aerial assaults are a response to Ukraine’s drone strikes on its own civilians on Tuesday.
Trump’s increasing frustration with Moscow’s position in deadlocked truce negotiations with Kyiv has led him to criticise Putin, whilst before he would speak admirably about him.