President Donald Trump issued rare public criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday following a devastating missile and drone assault on Kyiv that left at least 12 dead and 90 injured. The barrage marked the deadliest strike on Ukraine's capital since July 2024 and comes as U.S.-led peace efforts struggle to gain traction.
"I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Lets get the Peace Deal DONE!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. The statement, unusually direct, followed an hourslong Russian offensive involving 70 missiles and 145 drones that targeted residential buildings and civilian infrastructure across Kyiv.
Emergency officials reported the assault struck 13 locations in the city. "We are currently clearing the rubble manually, we are not using any equipment because there may still be people under the rubble," said Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko on Telegram. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said eight Ukrainian regions were targeted, including Zhytomyr, Dnipro, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia, in what he called "a massive combined Russian attack."
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, who was in South Africa at the time of the attack, said the bombardment was "first and foremost" aimed at "pressuring the US." He announced he would cut his visit short and return to Kyiv. "It is extremely important that everyone around the world sees and understands what is really happening," Zelensky said, noting that Ukraine would contact partners to request stronger air defenses.
At a White House lunch with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Trump struck a more measured tone. "We are thinking very strongly that they both want peace, but they have to get to the table - we're waiting a long time," he told reporters. The meeting included discussions on Ukraine and NATO defense spending.
Zelensky has reiterated that any peace deal recognizing Russian control over occupied territories, including Crimea, remains unacceptable. "This is (an issue of) our survival," he said. "I don't see strong pressure against Russia and new strong sanctions packages against the Russian aggression for now."
Trump previously accused Zelensky of prolonging the war by rejecting a proposal that would allow Russia to retain control over occupied areas. "It's inflammatory statements like Zelenskyy's that makes it so difficult to settle this War. He has nothing to boast about!" Trump posted Wednesday.
The White House confirmed that Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff would travel to Moscow for further negotiations with Putin, marking their fourth meeting since Trump returned to office in January. A European official said recent discussions in Paris and London involved a U.S. framework that would permit Russia to retain parts of occupied Ukrainian territory, including Crimea.
