U.S. President Donald Trump pleaded with Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop attacking Ukraine after another set of deadly strikes rocked Ukrainian capital Kyiv, urging him to secure a peace deal.
“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 posted on his Truth Social platform on Thursday.
Newsweek has contacted the Kremlin for comment.
More
Alex Brandon/Kristina Kormilitsyna/AP Photo
Why it matters
Ceasefire and peace talks have reached a critical stage, with the U.S.—the key dealmaker—threatening to pull out if there is no progress soon.
Trump has previously criticized Zelensky for holding up any deal, but it is rare for the U.S. president to directly criticize Putin.
What to Know
The Trump team has repportedly proposed a deal that would essentially grant Russia all the territory it has gained since 2014, and block Ukraine joining NATO.
Zelensky this week appeared to rule out recognizing Russia’s 2014 takeover of Crimea, a region of Ukraine, in any peace deal, warning the proposal “violated our Constitution.”
The Ukranian leader has repeatedly called for military security assurances from the U.S. for any deal; though Trump has suggested the presence of American workers, through a deal involving Ukraine’s mineral deposits, would be security enough.
Trump told reporters Wednesday “I think we have a deal with Russia,” and suggested that the problem was with Zelensky, who has responded by saying such a deal “violated our Constitution.”
Ukraine’s capital Kyiv was pounded by Russian missiles and drones overnight Wednesday. Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched 145 drones and 70 missiles, including 11 ballistic missiles, in this year’s biggest assault on the city.
The strikes killed at least eight people, wounded more than 70, including six children, and smashed buildings, according to Reuters, citing local sources.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the strikes showed Russia, not Ukraine, was the obstacle to peace in a sentiment that appears to be shared by Trump.
Images shared to social media showed rescue teams working with floodlights, moving through rubble and clambering up ladders next to buildings to check on the safety of residents. About 40 fires broke out around the city and an air raid alert was in effect for six hours, officials said.
Ukraine’s second biggest city, Kharkiv, was also attacked along with six other regions, according to Ukrainian interior minister Ihor Klymenko.
What people are saying
President Donald Trump on Truth Social on Thursday: “I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP!…Lets get the Peace Deal DONE!” Trump also told reporters on Wednesday: “I think we have a deal with Russia…”I thought it might be easier to deal with Zelensky.”
What happens next
Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff is set to again hold talks with Putin on Friday.
