"I always thought President Putin was smart, but he’s gone completely crazy" – President Donald Trump

"I always thought President Putin was smart, but he’s gone completely crazy" – President Donald Trump

President Donald Trump has called Russian President Vladimir Putin "completely crazy" following Russia’s largest air attack on Ukraine. In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, on Sunday night, Trump made this rare criticism of Putin.

"I’ve always had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin of Russia. I thought he was smart, but something has happened. He’s gone completely insane!" Trump wrote.

He further added, "I always said he wanted all of Ukraine, not just a part — and maybe I was right. But if he does that, it will be the cause of Russia’s downfall!"

His comments come as Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched a record number of drones in a single night on Sunday. According to officials, Russia fired 298 drones and 69 missiles, of which Ukraine successfully intercepted 266 drones and 45 missiles.

While not the deadliest strike in terms of casualties, this was the largest attack based on the volume of weapons used during the war. Ukraine’s emergency services described the situation as “terror-filled.” In the northwestern region of Zhytomyr, local authorities confirmed the deaths of three children aged 8, 12, and 17.

More than 60 people were also injured in the attack.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, “This barbarity cannot be stopped without real, powerful pressure on Russia’s leadership.”

He added, “America’s silence, and the silence of other countries, only encourages Putin. Sanctions must be enforced.”

Hints of New Sanctions

Trump has recently been expressing growing frustration with Putin and showing disappointment over the failure to resolve the three-year-long war. He previously claimed that he would end the war within days of returning to the White House.

Trump, who once proudly spoke of his friendly ties with Putin and often said that Russia was more willing to make peace than Ukraine, now appears to be losing patience.

While departing from northern New Jersey, he told reporters, “I’m not happy with what Putin is doing. He’s killing a lot of people. I don’t know what’s happened to him.”

“I’ve known him a long time, always had a good relationship, but he’s bombing cities, killing people — I don’t like it at all.”

When asked about new sanctions, Trump replied, “Absolutely.”

However, Trump also criticized Ukrainian President Zelensky, who has frequently been a target of Trump’s criticism. On social media, he wrote, “His words are not helping his country. Everything that comes out of his mouth causes problems. I don’t like it, and it needs to stop.”