Trump tells Putin to ‘STOP!’ Russian strikes on Kyiv

President Donald Trump on Thursday criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for deadly missile and drone attacks on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv that came after the U.S. leader suggested that Russia was “ready” for a peace deal.

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preCharge News POLITICS — President Donald Trump on Thursday criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for deadly missile and drone attacks on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv that came after the U.S. leader suggested that Russia was “ready” for a peace deal.

“I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post, after Russia launched what was one of the most damaging attacks on a major Ukrainian city since it invaded its neighbor more than three years ago.

“Not necessary, and very bad timing,” Trump wrote. “Vladimir, STOP!”

“5000 soldiers a week are dying. Lets get the Peace Deal DONE!”

Trump’s message to Putin came a day after the American president said he believed that “Russia is ready” for a peace deal with Ukraine.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin chairs a videoconference meeting on economic issues at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow on April 24, 2025. (Photo by Vyacheslav PROKOFYEV / POOL / AFP) (Photo by VYACHESLAV PROKOFYEV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) — Russia’s President Vladimir Putin chairs a videoconference meeting on economic issues at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow on April 24, 2025. (Getty Images)

“I think we have a deal with Russia,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Wednesday.

Trump suggested that the holdup in getting that deal was Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whom he had accused in a social media post of making “inflammatory statements.”

“We have to get a deal with Zelenskyy,” Trump said in the Oval Office. “I thought it might be easier to deal with Zelenskyy. So far, it’s been harder.”

Mr. Trump blasted Zelenskyy on Wednesday, accusing him of prolonging the “killing field” by refusing to consider surrendering Russian-occupied Crimea as part of a possible peace deal.

In response to Mr. Trump’s criticism of him over Crimea, Zelenskyy posted a 2018 statement from Mr. Trump’s then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in which Pompeo said it was U.S. policy to not recognize Russia’s attempted annexation of Crimea.

Emotions have run high today. But it is good that 5 countries met to bring peace closer. Ukraine, the USA, the UK, France and Germany. The sides expressed their views and respectfully received each other’s positions. It’s important that each side was not just a participant but… pic.twitter.com/lDFV5WK8tw
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 23, 2025

Hours after those comments, Russia unleashed its attack on Kyiv, leaving at least 8 people dead and 70 injured.

TOPSHOT - Ukrainian rescuers operate at the site of a Russian missile attack in Kyiv on April 24, 2025, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. A "massive" Russian missile attack on Kyiv on April 24, 2025, killed at least nine and wounded dozens in one of the deadliest strikes on the Ukrainian capital since Moscow launched its invasion more than three years ago. (Photo by Genya SAVILOV / AFP) (Photo by GENYA SAVILOV/AFP via Getty Images) — Ukrainian rescuers operate at the site of a Russian missile attack in Kyiv on April 24, 2025, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Genya Savilov | Afp | Getty Images

Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, retired Lt Gen. Keith Kellogg, told preCharge News on Thursday morning that peace “talks in London yesterday were candid, constructive and productive.”

Zelenskyy said earlier Thursday that he was cutting short a visit to South Africa to return home because of the attacks.

“Russia continues to kill people and avoid tough pressure and accountability for this,” Zelenskyy said Thursday.

“Unfortunately, there is a lot of destruction. Rescue operations are ongoing, the rubble of buildings is being cleared.”