Trump calls Putin ‘completely loopy’ after Russia’s newest Ukraine assault : NPR

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Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP President Trump has sharply criticized President Vladimir Putin for unleashing a storm of drone and missile assaults on Ukrainian cities Sunday night, saying he was "not completely satisfied" with the Russian chief defying efforts to safe a ceasefire to finish the three-year battle.

Trump informed reporters Sunday that Putin is killing lots of people. "I do not know what the hell occurred to Putin," Trump stated. "I've identified him a very long time, at all times gotten together with him however he is sending rockets into cities and killing individuals, and I do not prefer it in any respect."

When requested if he would take into account extra sanctions on Russia, Trump stated "completely."

Trump went additional in a social media submit late Sunday, saying Putin "has gone completely CRAZY!" and was needlessly killing lots of people.

The Ukrainian Air Drive stated the Russian assault was the biggest aerial assault of the battle, with Russia unleashing 355 drones and 9 cruise missiles on dozens of Ukrainian cities, together with the capital, Kyiv. Not less than 12 individuals had been killed and dozens injured within the assaults.

The Kremlin performed down Trump's remarks. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov urged Trump's feedback might be blamed on "emotional overload," and thanked Trump for his efforts to finish the battle.

"We're actually grateful to the People and to President Trump personally for his or her help in organizing and launching this negotiation course of," Peskov informed reporters when requested about Trump's remarks. "In fact, on the identical time, this can be a very essential second, which is related, in fact, with the emotional overload of everybody completely and with emotional reactions."

Sunday's assault adopted heavy Russian bombardment on a number of Ukrainian cities a day earlier. Extra missiles rained down on Ukraine in a single day into Monday.

The assaults got here as Russia and Ukraine carried out a prisoner trade, however it was solely a flicker of fine information within the battle. There was little signal of progress in securing a ceasefire, even after a greater than two-hour cellphone name between Trump and Putin final week. Ukraine has agreed to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire, proposed by the U.S., however Putin rejected it.

Writing on social media Sunday, Trump urged Putin has bigger aspirations. "I've at all times stated that he needs ALL of Ukraine, not only a piece of it," Trump wrote. "But when he does, it would result in the downfall of Russia!"

Trump additionally had robust phrases for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with whom he is had a prickly relationship. "The whole lot out of his mouth causes issues. I do not prefer it, and it higher cease," he stated on social media.