In a dramatic statement Wednesday morning, Trump called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt attacks on Ukraine following what officials say was the deadliest missile strike on Kyiv since the summer of 2024.
“Vladimir, stop,” Trump said during a brief press appearance at Mar-a-Lago. “This has gone too far. I’m not happy with Russia, not happy at all.”
The comments came just hours after a Russian barrage of missiles struck multiple residential and government targets in Ukraine’s capital, killing at least 47 people and injuring more than 100, according to Ukrainian emergency services. The strike has drawn swift condemnation from Western leaders, with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg calling it a “heinous escalation.”
Trump, who has long drawn scrutiny for his relatively warm tone toward Putin during his presidency, took a noticeably sterner stance in his latest remarks. While stopping short of endorsing new sanctions or military aid, he appeared visibly frustrated by the latest developments.
“I’ve said before, this war should have never happened,” Trump said. “But what happened in Kyiv is unacceptable. It’s time for it to stop. I know Vladimir, and he knows what I mean when I say that.”
Trump’s statement marks one of his strongest rebukes of Russia since the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Though he has frequently criticized President Joe Biden’s handling of the war, his latest remarks suggest growing discomfort with the scale and brutality of Russian actions.
White House officials responded cautiously to Trump’s comments. A senior administration aide, speaking on background, said, “We welcome any voice that encourages de-escalation, but actions speak louder than words. We remain committed to supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked global leaders for their solidarity in a late-night address, though he did not specifically mention Trump. “The world sees this terror. The world must act,” Zelenskyy said.
As the war in Ukraine grinds into its third year, pressure is mounting on all major players — including Trump, who remains a dominant figure in American politics — to take clearer stances on the path forward. Whether Trump’s message to Putin will have any tangible effect remains to be seen, but his public appeal may indicate a shift in tone as the humanitarian crisis deepens.