U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt a series of deadly missile strikes on Kyiv that have killed at least 12 people and injured 90, marking the deadliest attack on the Ukrainian capital since July.
In a rare rebuke of the Russian leader, Trump posted on his social media platform Truth Social: “Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP!” The strikes, launched overnight into Thursday, come at a critical time as international pressure mounts for a resolution to the two-year-long war in Ukraine.
Speaking at the White House alongside Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Trump reiterated his commitment to brokering a peace deal. “I have no allegiance to anybody, only an allegiance to saving lives,” he stated. While expressing frustration with the Russian assault, Trump signaled a wait-and-see approach, saying he would “wait a week to see if we have a deal,” but warned that “things will happen” if the attacks continue.
Trump’s comments mark a shift in tone as he continues to assert that he could bring an end to the conflict swiftly, a key pledge from his 2024 election campaign. His administration is attempting to jumpstart negotiations, with Special Envoy Steve Witkoff expected to meet with Putin in Moscow on Friday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who was in South Africa at the time of the attack, cut his visit short and returned to Kyiv. Speaking to reporters before departing, Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine’s willingness to engage in talks is itself a significant concession. “A ceasefire must be the first step,” he said. “If Russia says it is ready to cease fire, it must stop massive strikes against Ukraine.”
Zelensky urged the United States to increase pressure on Moscow, suggesting that stronger American leadership could help bring both sides closer to agreement. “It is Ukrainians who are running out of patience,” he said. “Because it is us who are under attack, and no one else.”
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, in a CBS interview, defended the strikes by claiming they targeted only military sites or dual-use infrastructure, though he offered no evidence. He indicated that while Russia is open to talks, several aspects of the proposed U.S. peace plan would need to be “fine tuned.”
