Trump Slams Putin as 'Crazy,' Warns of Catastrophe in Ukraine Conflict

President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin, accusing him of reckless aggression and teetering on the edge of catastrophic miscalculation. In a fiery Truth Social post, Trump claimed that without his influence, Russia would have faced "really bad things"—a vague but ominous phrase that underscores his belief in his own diplomatic clout. "He’s playing with fire!" Trump declared, painting Putin’s actions as dangerously erratic.

The warning comes amid heightened tensions, with Trump doubling down on his criticism of Putin’s military escalation in Ukraine. In a separate post, he described the Russian leader as having "gone absolutely CRAZY," accusing him of targeting Ukrainian cities with missiles and drones for no discernible reason. Trump suggested Putin’s ambition to seize all of Ukraine could spell Russia’s downfall, a rare moment of blunt foresight from the former president.

But Trump’s ire wasn’t reserved for Putin alone. He also took aim at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, criticizing his rhetoric as problematic and demanding it "better stop." This dual critique highlights Trump’s ongoing, yet so far unsuccessful, efforts to broker peace between the two nations. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy reported that Russia launched an unprecedented 355 attack drones and nine cruise missiles in a single night, underscoring the relentless violence gripping Ukraine.

Russia’s Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of the Security Council, fired back, warning that the only "really bad thing" would be World War III—a not-so-subtle jab at Trump’s rhetoric. As the war rages on, Zelenskyy emphasized that only strength from global powers can curb Russia’s aggression and restore peace.