Ukraine war: Trump tells Putin ‘STOP!’ attacks on Kyiv, in rare criticism of Russian leader

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 social media. “Let’s get the Peace Deal DONE!”

Russia struck Kyiv with a barrage of missiles and drones. At least eight people were killed and more than 70 injured in the deadliest assault on the city since last July.

Trump’s frustration is growing as a US-led effort to get a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia has not made progress.

Trump lashed out at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday and accused him of prolonging the “killing field” by refusing to surrender the Russia-occupied Crimea Peninsula as part of a possible deal.

Zelensky has repeated many times during the war that began when Russia invaded in February 2022 that recognising occupied territory as Russia’s is a red line for Ukraine. Zelensky noted on Thursday that Ukraine had agreed to a US ceasefire proposal 44 days ago as a first step to a negotiated peace, but that Moscow’s attacks had continued.