Washington, April 24, 2025 – In a rare public rebuke of Russian President Vladimir Putin, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed frustration over Russia’s deadly missile and drone strikes on Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, which killed at least 12 people and injured dozens more. The overnight barrage, described as one of the most devastating attacks on the city in months, prompted Trump to call for an immediate halt to the violence and a renewed push for a peace deal to end the three-year conflict.
“I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Let’s get the Peace Deal DONE!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform Thursday morning, addressing Putin directly in a highly personal appeal. The statement followed hours of Russian attacks that left Kyiv reeling, with rescuers pulling survivors from the rubble of residential buildings and hospitals treating the wounded, including six children.
The timing of Russia’s assault, which Ukrainian officials reported involved 145 drones and 70 missiles, including a suspected North Korean-manufactured ballistic missile, came amid delicate U.S.-led efforts to broker a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia. Trump’s administration has been pressing both sides to accept a peace proposal that reportedly includes controversial terms, such as recognizing Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea and freezing current territorial lines. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly rejected ceding territory, calling it a violation of Ukraine’s constitution and sovereignty.
Trump’s comments mark a shift from his recent rhetoric, which has often placed blame on Zelenskyy for stalling negotiations. On Wednesday, Trump criticized the Ukrainian leader for refusing to compromise on Crimea, claiming it was “lost years ago” and accusing Zelenskyy of making “inflammatory statements” that hinder peace talks. “He has no cards to play,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, suggesting Ukraine’s dire situation leaves it with little leverage.
Despite his criticism of the Kyiv strikes, Trump maintained optimism about Russia’s willingness to negotiate, telling reporters during a meeting with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, “We are thinking very strongly that they both want peace, but they have to get to the table.” He declined to specify what pressure he is applying to Putin, sidestepping questions about potential sanctions and emphasizing his desire to see a deal finalized soon. “I have my own deadline,” Trump said, without elaborating.
The Kremlin, responding to Trump’s remarks, remained defiant. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov claimed Russia was targeting “military and military-adjacent” sites in Kyiv, a justification dismissed by Ukrainian officials and Western leaders. French President Emmanuel Macron accused Putin of “lying” about wanting peace, while Latvia’s foreign minister, Baiba Braže, insisted that “Russia needs to be forced into peace.”
Zelenskyy, who cut short a trip to South Africa to return to Kyiv, condemned the attacks and highlighted Ukraine’s agreement to a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal 44 days ago, which Russia has ignored. “Putin is not afraid,” Zelenskyy said, calling for stronger international pressure to halt Russia’s aggression. He also raised concerns about the use of a North Korean missile, describing it as evidence of a “criminal alliance” between Moscow and Pyongyang.
The strikes have intensified scrutiny of Trump’s peace plan, which some analysts and European allies view as overly favorable to Russia. Republican Senator Bill Cassidy challenged Trump’s assertion that Putin is serious about peace, posting on X, “Putin doesn’t want peace. He’s stalled every negotiation and keeps bombing civilians.” Meanwhile, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha argued that the attacks underscore Russia, not Ukraine, as the primary obstacle to peace.
As the death toll in Kyiv rises and the war grinds on, Trump’s direct appeal to Putin has sparked mixed reactions. Supporters praise his bold intervention, while critics argue it lacks the concrete measures needed to compel Russia to stop. With U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff set to meet Putin in Moscow this week, the coming days may prove critical in determining whether Trump’s push for peace can break the deadlock or if the conflict will escalate further.
