WASHINGTON/KYIV: President Donald Trump on Thursday offered rare criticism of Vladimir Putin, urging the Russian leader to “STOP!” after a deadly barrage of attacks on Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital.
“I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying,” Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform. “Lets get the Peace Deal DONE!”
Russia struck Kyiv with an hourslong barrage of missiles and drones. At least nine people were killed and more than 70 injured in the deadliest assault on the city since last July. The strikes took place just as peace efforts are coming to a head.
Trump told reporters at the White House that his administration was applying “a lot of pressure” on Russia and reiterated his displeasure with the attack.
Asked by a reporter if he thought Putin would listen to his appeal to stop missile strikes, Trump said “I do.”
But he said significant progress had been made in peace negotiations and the Kremlin had made a “pretty big concession” by being open to “stopping the war, stopping taking the whole country,” referring to Ukraine.
“This next few days is going to be very important. Meetings are taking place right now,” Trump said. “I think we’re going to make a deal ... I think we’re getting very close.”
Speaking to CBS News’ “Face the Nation” on Thursday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the effort was “moving in the right direction” but “some specific points ... need to be fine-tuned,” according to a transcript. He did not provide details.
The US president said Washington was also pressuring Kyiv.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, also at the White House, said further discussions were planned for the weekend, and the US wants to see both Ukraine and Russia step up to finalize a deal.
After talks with Trump in Washington, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said on Thursday that Kyiv was working hard for a deal. “There is something on the table now I think, where Ukrainians are really playing ball, and I think the ball is clearly in the Russian court now,” he told reporters.
The Kyiv attack, which the US president said was “not necessary” and “very bad timing” as he pushes for peace, also wounded 90 people, smashed buildings and set off fires, Ukrainian officials said. Rescuers were still recovering bodies from the rubble more than 12 hours later.
Asked if he had a deadline for the two sides, Trump said: “I have my own deadline, and we want it to be fast.”
The latest attack came at a critical moment in Russia’s war in Ukraine, which began with Moscow’s full-scale invasion in 2022. Both Kyiv and Moscow are trying to show Trump they are making progress toward his goal of a rapid peace deal.
The White House has threatened to abandon its efforts if no progress is made soon. Trump upbraided Zelensky on Wednesday when the Ukrainian leader repeated that Kyiv would not recognize Russia’s occupation of Crimea.
Trump said on Thursday that it would be very difficult for Ukraine to regain Crimea.
Trump has used a markedly more gentle tone in his statements about Putin than with Zelensky, whom he at one point referred to as a “dictator.” Trump’s special envoy is expected to meet Putin on Friday for more talks, a US official has said.
