President Trump issued a sharp rebuke to Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Thursday in response to Russia’s deadliest assault on Ukraine in nearly a year. In a post on Truth Social, Trump called on Putin to bring an end to the violence.
“I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV,” Trump wrote. “Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Lets get the Peace Deal DONE!”
This unusually pointed message from Trump followed an intense overnight bombardment by Russia targeting Kyiv, which left at least nine dead and over 70 others injured. The attack, involving a mix of missiles and drones, marked the most lethal strike on Ukraine’s capital since the previous July. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the assault as “one of the most outrageous.”
Alongside his comments about the Russian onslaught, Trump also appeared to criticize the Biden administration, suggesting that not enough is being done to finalize a peace settlement that could end the prolonged war. Trump reiterated concerns over Ukraine’s willingness to engage in a final agreement, despite Zelensky having already signed onto a Trump-backed cease-fire proposal weeks earlier. Trump also asserted—without presenting evidence—that Russia was prepared to negotiate peace.
Zelensky, however, contradicted Trump’s assessment. In a post on X, he emphasized that Ukraine had upheld its side of the ceasefire arrangement, while accusing Russia of ignoring the terms and continuing its aggression.
“It has been 44 days since Ukraine agreed to a full ceasefire and a halt to strikes. This was a proposal from the United States,” Zelensky stated. “And it has been 44 days of Russia continuing to kill our people and evading tough pressure and accountability for its actions.”
Details of the so-called “final offer” from Trump’s administration reveal significant concessions to both sides. Under the plan, Russia would receive several major diplomatic and economic benefits. Among them is official US recognition of Crimea as Russian territory, a stark reversal of long-standing American policy that refuses to validate territorial seizures. In addition, the US would offer “de facto” acknowledgment of Russia’s control over the eastern Ukrainian regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia—while still technically maintaining they are Ukrainian land. The plan also includes a promise from the US not to support Ukraine’s bid to join NATO, the lifting of certain sanctions against Russia, and the prospect of increased US-Russia cooperation in energy and industrial sectors.
In exchange, Ukraine would receive guarantees of military protection from European forces following the cease-fire, although the US would not play a direct role in this defense pact. The deal also includes the return of a limited section of the Kharkiv region currently under Russian control. Ukraine would gain navigation rights along the Dnieper River, a key waterway near active conflict zones. The proposal also mentions help with reconstruction efforts after the war, though it remains unclear which parties would finance that rebuilding.
{Matzav.com}
