Demands for accountability are spreading across Washington after President Donald Trump unleashed harsh criticism on Russian President Vladimir Putin following a deadly overnight drone and missile barrage against Ukraine. The world is watching closely as Trump, who has had a long and complex relationship with Putin, weighs his next move amid escalating violence.
According to the New York Post, Trump issued an extraordinary rebuke of Putin after Russia launched more than 300 drones and missiles at Ukrainian cities, striking during a planned prisoner exchange between the two countries. The onslaught marked one of the most intense attacks since the conflict began.
Trump’s comments come just days after he claimed peace talks would begin “immediately.” As Russia’s assault intensified, both American and Ukrainian leaders responded with urgent calls for action and accountability. The attacks, which targeted Kyiv and dozens of other cities, have left observers questioning Putin’s intentions and the West’s response.
President Trump did not hold back his frustration with Vladimir Putin during a press briefing Sunday. He expressed shock at the Russian leader’s decision to escalate attacks while diplomatic efforts were underway. Trump stated that he has known Putin “a long time” and has typically gotten along with him, but said he was disturbed by the violence.
Trump told reporters, “I’ve known him a long time, always gotten along with him, but he’s sending rockets into cities and killing people and I don’t like it at all. We’re in the middle of talking and he’s sending rockets into Kyiv and other cities. I don’t like it at all.” The president described himself as “not happy” with the mounting violence, emphasizing confusion over Putin’s motives.
The timing of Russia’s attack has raised alarm, as it coincided with a prisoner exchange agreement that saw each side releasing roughly 1,000 detained combatants and civilians. Despite the ongoing swap, Russia continued its offensive, which Kyiv officials called an unrelenting barrage.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky used the occasion to call on the United States and its allies to take a tougher stance. He argued that silence and inaction from Washington and the international community only embolden Russia’s aggression. Zelensky stated that every new attack should trigger additional sanctions against Moscow.
“The silence of America, the silence of others in the world only encourages Putin. Every such terrorist Russian strike is reason enough for new sanctions against Russia,” Zelensky said in a statement on Sunday.
As Russian forces claimed to have seized three more Ukrainian villages—a claim denied by Kyiv—the Ukrainian government ramped up its criticism of both Russia and the perceived lack of American leadership. Zelensky’s remarks placed further pressure on the White House to respond decisively.
President Trump, meanwhile, was quick to fire back at Zelensky’s pointed comments about the United States. He dismissed the Ukrainian leader’s criticism and asserted that the war would never have started if he had been in office from the beginning. Trump argued that he was only involved now to “put out the big and ugly fires” caused by “Gross Incompetence and Hatred.”
On social media, Trump doubled down, writing that Putin “has gone absolutely CRAZY!” He warned that the Russian president’s ambitions could “lead to the downfall of Russia” itself if left unchecked. Trump insisted that he has always maintained Putin wants “ALL of Ukraine, not just a piece of it.”
Trump also responded to Zelensky with a stern warning: “Everything out of [Zelensky’s] mouth causes problems, I don’t like it, and it better stop. This is a War that would never have started if I were President. This is Zelenskyy’s, Putin’s, and Biden’s War, not ‘Trump’s,’ I am only helping to put out the big and ugly fires, that have been started through Gross Incompetence and Hatred.”
Washington is now grappling with a range of policy responses as violence in Ukraine intensifies. Earlier in May, Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated the administration would consider imposing a 500% tariff on Russian oil and gas if no serious progress was made toward peace. However, Rubio noted that such measures would ultimately depend on Trump’s decision.
The prisoner swap, which continued even amid the attacks, has not lessened the urgency in Washington. Lawmakers from both parties are debating the best path forward, balancing calls for stiffer sanctions with concerns about escalating the conflict further.
As the administration faces criticism from Kyiv and domestic opponents, Trump’s next steps will be closely scrutinized. His pledge to end the war “on day one” of his second term remains a central campaign promise, but recent events have complicated the political landscape.
