Vladimir, STOP – Trump Tells Putin After Deadly Kyiv Strike

A Shocking Strike on Ukraine’s Heart

At around 1:00 a.m. local time, air raid sirens wailed across Kyiv as waves of Russian missiles and drones descended upon the city. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, more than 70 missiles and 145 drones were fired at targets across the country, with Kyiv bearing the brunt of the attack.

The neighborhood of Sviatoshinsky, located in western Kyiv, was hit particularly hard. Emergency services worked through the night pulling victims from the rubble. The scene was one of chaos and sorrow — body bags on lawns, buildings reduced to debris, and civilians in shock. A 33-year-old lawyer, Olena Davydiuk, told AFP, “People were being pulled out of the rubble. Doors had fallen off their hinges, and windows were shattered everywhere.This latest escalation by Russia follows a pattern of increasingly aggressive air assaults that have become more frequent and more lethal in recent months, despite diplomatic efforts to broker peace.

Trump’s Direct Message to Putin

Responding to the events, President Trump broke his usual silence on Russian military activities by posting a pointed message on social media:
“I am not happy with the Russian strikes. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP!”

This marks a significant shift in Trump’s approach to the war, as he has often faced criticism for being too lenient on Russia and for questioning the level of U.S. support to Ukraine. His unusually direct message to Putin suggests rising frustration within the White House as ceasefire negotiations continue to stall.

Reporters also asked Trump what concessions Russia was offering in negotiations. He responded, “Stopping taking the whole country — pretty big concession,” implying that Russia may have pulled back from earlier ambitions of a full-scale occupation but remains entrenched in its control over key territories.

Zelenskyy Calls for More Pressure on Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who was on a diplomatic visit to South Africa at the time of the attack, immediately cut his trip short to return to Kyiv. In a statement, he condemned Russia’s continued aggression and questioned whether Ukraine’s allies were doing enough to stop it.

“I don’t see any strong pressure on Russia or any new sanctions packages against Russia’s aggression,” Zelenskyy said, urging the international community to act decisively. He also revealed that a North Korean ballistic missile was likely used in the attack — a worrying development that suggests deepening military cooperation between Russia and other authoritarian states.

Zelenskyy defended Ukraine’s stance in the peace talks, asserting that his government had followed through on most proposals made by Western partners. However, he emphasized that Ukraine would not compromise on core principles, especially sovereignty over its territory. “We do everything that our partners have proposed, only what contradicts our legislation and the Constitution we cannot do,” he stated.

Disagreements Over Crimea

President Trump’s comments earlier this week reignited controversy when he accused Zelenskyy of stalling peace by refusing to recognize Russia’s annexation of Crimea — a territory taken by Moscow in 2014. Crimea was lost years ago,” Trump said, suggesting it was time for Ukraine to accept the status quo in order to end the bloodshed. This position starkly contrasts with the official stance of NATO and most Western allies, who maintain that Crimea is Ukrainian territory under illegal occupation. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, during a joint press appearance with Trump, made it clear that responsibility for progress in the negotiations lies squarely with the Kremlin. “The balls are clearly in the Russian court now,” Rutte told reporters.

U.S. Diplomacy in Motion

To keep the fragile ceasefire negotiations alive, Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is scheduled to travel to Russia later this week. He is expected to meet with Putin or top Kremlin officials for another round of peace talks. Yet, as deadly strikes continue, skepticism is mounting about the possibility of any real breakthrough. Many believe that Russia’s aggressive actions are undermining diplomatic progress and are instead intended to strengthen its bargaining position. Just two weeks earlier, a ballistic missile strike on the northeastern Ukrainian city of Sumy claimed 35 lives, further illustrating the growing cost of the war on civilians.

A Call for Unity and Action

The recent attacks, along with the public disagreement between Trump and Zelenskyy, highlight the fractured state of international efforts to end the war. While Ukraine demands full sovereignty and justice for Russian war crimes, the U.S. administration appears focused on accelerating a deal — even if it means uncomfortable compromises. As Ukrainian cities continue to endure air raids, the world watches anxiously. Whether Trump’s sharp rebuke of Putin signals a true policy shift or simply a moment of public frustration remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the war is far from over — and millions of lives hang in the balance.