U.S. President Donald Trump said Sunday he is “absolutely” considering fresh sanctions against Russia following a deadly escalation in missile and drone strikes across Ukraine that left at least 12 civilians dead. The attacks, the most intense aerial bombardment of the war so far, targeted Kyiv and other major cities, prompting international alarm.
Speaking to reporters in Morristown, New Jersey, Trump expressed rare frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin. “I’m not happy with Putin,” he said. “He’s killing a lot of people, and I don’t know what the hell happened to him.” The strong rebuke marks a significant shift in tone from Trump, who has often avoided direct criticism of the Kremlin in the past.
Trump revealed he had spoken to Putin for over two hours last week in an effort to broker a ceasefire, though no progress was reported. The timing of Russia’s large-scale strikes coincides with ongoing prisoner swaps between Moscow and Kyiv, further complicating diplomatic efforts.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy condemned the attacks and urged global leaders to implement tougher sanctions against Russia. He emphasized that continued aggression must be met with unified international pressure to prevent further civilian casualties and destabilization.
The renewed violence in Ukraine and Trump’s changing stance on Russia are likely to fuel geopolitical tensions and raise questions about future U.S. policy. As the death toll rises, global attention is once again focused on the Kremlin’s military strategy and the West’s response.
This latest development underscores the fragile nature of ceasefire negotiations and the growing urgency for effective diplomatic solutions. With public and political pressure mounting, Trump’s next steps could play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the conflict.