What's happened
On May 26, 2025, President Trump expressed frustration over Russia's intensified drone and missile attacks on Ukraine, which resulted in at least 12 deaths. He criticized Putin's actions as 'crazy' and suggested potential sanctions. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy called for stronger international responses to Russia's aggression.
What's behind the headline?
Trump's Shift in Tone
- Trump's recent comments mark a significant shift from his previous admiration for Putin, reflecting growing frustration with Russia's actions.
- The escalation of drone attacks on Ukraine, described as the largest since the war began, has prompted calls for stronger sanctions from both Trump and Zelenskyy.
- Trump's criticism of Zelenskyy suggests a complex dynamic, as he balances his frustration with Putin while also addressing the Ukrainian president's calls for action.
Implications for US Foreign Policy
- Trump's potential sanctions could signal a tougher stance against Russia, but his past reluctance to impose severe measures raises questions about the effectiveness of this approach.
- The ongoing violence complicates peace negotiations, with both sides entrenched in their positions, making a resolution increasingly difficult.
- The international community's response, particularly from the US, will be crucial in shaping the future of the conflict and the stability of the region.
What the papers say
According to The Independent, Trump stated, "What Vladimir Putin doesn’t realize is that if it weren’t for me, lots of really bad things would have already happened to Russia." This reflects his attempt to assert influence over the situation. Meanwhile, the South China Morning Post noted that Trump is considering fresh sanctions against Russia, indicating a potential shift in US policy. In contrast, The Guardian highlighted Zelenskyy's condemnation of the US's silence, emphasizing the need for stronger international pressure on Russia. This divergence in perspectives illustrates the complexities of the geopolitical landscape surrounding the conflict.
How we got here
The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has escalated since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire have largely stalled, with both sides remaining far apart on key issues. Trump's previous admiration for Putin has shifted to frustration as violence continues.
Go deeper
- What are the implications of Trump's potential sanctions?
- How has Zelenskyy responded to the recent attacks?
- What does this mean for US-Russia relations?
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More on these topics
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Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, previously holding the position from 1999 until 2008.
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Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in
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Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelenskyy is a Ukrainian politician, actor and comedian who is the 6th and current president of Ukraine, serving since May 2019.
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The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.
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Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central and Western Europe. Covering an area of 357,022 square kilometres, it lies between the Baltic and North seas to the north, and the Alps to the south.
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The European Union is a political and economic union of 27 member states that are located primarily in Europe. Its members have a combined area of 4,233,255.3 km² and an estimated total population of about 447 million.