Trump’s 'STOP!' Shot at Putin Mirrors Biden’s 'Don’t' Warning from 2022

Donald Trump turned to social media on Thursday to tell Russian President Vladimir Putin, in all caps, to "STOP!" airstrikes on Ukraine. The plea came as Kyiv suffered deadly assaults, and it sounded a familiar note to anyone who remembers Joe Biden’s simple, repeated warning to Putin back in 2022: "Don’t. Don’t. Don’t." That was Biden’s response when asked what message he’d give Putin about using chemical or nuclear weapons in Ukraine—short, sharp, and not exactly subtle.

Trump’s full message, posted on Truth Social, was: "I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5,000 soldiers a week are dying. Let’s get the peace deal DONE." Meanwhile, Russia’s brutal airstrikes on Kyiv have left at least 10 people dead and 90 injured, including children, according to Ukrainian officials.

The New York Post wasn’t impressed, splashing a Friday cover that jabbed, "Words aren’t enough." Speaking with reporters as he left for Pope Francis’ funeral in Rome, Trump sounded hopeful but cautious, saying, "I think Russia and Ukraine -- I think they're coming along, we hope. It's very fragile." He went on to blame Biden for not resolving the crisis earlier, saying, "This should have been taken place by Biden. It should have been fixed by Biden. But he couldn't do it. Nor could he come close to doing." Trump also insisted he has "no deadline" but wants to end the war "as fast as possible."

Despite Trump administration claims of productive talks with Putin, a real peace deal remains out of reach since Russia’s 2022 invasion. Recently, U.S. officials hinted that American mediation might end if Ukraine and Russia don’t make serious moves toward peace soon. On Friday, White House envoy Steve Witkoff was in Moscow for talks with Putin.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told CBS News that the Kremlin is "ready to reach a deal" on ending the war, saying talks are "moving in the right direction." But, as always, there are "specific points" that need ironing out—no shocker there. Lavrov also noted that Russia isn’t budging on Crimea, which it seized back in 2014. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, for his part, said his country won’t recognize Russian control of the region, citing Ukraine’s constitution. Trump criticized Zelenskyy’s remarks as "inflammatory" and warned they were "very harmful" to peace efforts.