Trump issues rare rebuke of ‘crazy’ Putin after 13 killed in Ukraine drone strikes

US President Donald Trump calls Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin “crazy” for his attacks on Ukrainian cities and warns that any attempt at a total takeover of Ukraine would “lead to the downfall of Russia.”

The comments are a rare rebuke to Putin, and come after a record number of Russian drones killed at least 13 people across Ukraine, despite a prisoner exchange and a US push for a truce.

“I’ve always had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin of Russia, but something has happened to him. He has gone absolutely CRAZY!” Trump says in a post on Truth Social.

“I’ve always said that he wants ALL of Ukraine, not just a piece of it, and maybe that’s proving to be right, but if he does, it will lead to the downfall of Russia!” he adds.

Trump also criticizes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, a more frequent target of his ire, accusing him of “doing his Country no favors by talking the way he does.”

“Everything out of his mouth causes problems, I don’t like it, and it better stop,” he says of Zelensky.

Earlier on Sunday, Trump told reporters that he was “not happy” with Putin over the latest Russian offensive.

“I’ve known him a long time, always gotten along with him, but he’s sending rockets into cities and killing people, and I don’t like it at all,” said Trump on the tarmac at Morristown airport before boarding Air Force One bound for Washington.