Trump scolds Putin after Russian attack on Kyiv

In a direct response to the biggest and deadliest aerial barrage on Kyiv by Moscow’s forces this year, President Trump made a personal appeal to Russian leader Vladimir Putin to stop Russia’s attacks on Ukraine and agree to a peace deal.

“Not necessary and very bad timing,” Trump said in a post on his Truth Social. He also said “Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Let’s get the Peace Deal DONE!” Mr Trump had called the battlefield between Russia and Ukraine a “killing field.”

Overnight, Russia attacked Kyiv with an hourslong barrage of missiles and drones, killing at least eight people and injuring over 70 in likely the deadliest assault on Ukraine’s capital since July. The strikes came as peace talks have appeared to stall. 

Vice President JD Vance told reporters on Wednesday that the U.S. has “issued a very explicit proposal to both the Russians and the Ukrainians, and it’s time for them to either say yes, or for the United States to walk away from this process.” 

“I have my own deadline,” Mr. Trump said Thursday on a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. He wouldn’t say when that deadline is. Asked if he still believes Russia is serious about peace after it assaulted Kyiv with missiles and Ukraine overnight, the president said “we are thinking that very strongly that they both want peace, but they have to get to the table.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States had presented both sides with “options” for ending the war and said there was “a good meeting” on the conflict yesterday. “We’ve shown them the finish line. We need both of them to say yes, but what happened last night with those missile strikes should remind everybody of why this war needs to end,” Rubio said.

The White House is clearly getting impatient with Mr Putin, who appears to be dragging his feet on peace talks, likely feeling out how long of a leash he has with Washington.

At some point, President Trump will have to draw a line in the sand against Putin. What that will be, considering he desperately wants a deal to end the war? That remains to be seen.