Trump Unleashes on Putin Over Ukraine War

Donald Trump delivered an unusually forceful condemnation of Vladimir Putin on Sunday, expressing clear dissatisfaction with the Russian leader’s actions in Ukraine. Responding to questions from the press, Trump offered an update on the ongoing conflict, stating plainly, “I’m not happy with what Putin is doing.” He added, with notable frustration, “He’s killing a lot of people, and I don’t know what the hell happened to Putin.”

The former president, who has historically maintained a relatively amicable public relationship with Putin, elaborated on his disapproval. “I’ve known him a long time. I’ve always gotten along with him. But he’s sending rockets into cities and killing people, and I don’t like it at all,” Trump stated. He emphasized the jarring contrast between past interactions and current events, noting, “We’re in the middle of talking, and he’s shooting rockets into Kyiv and other cities. I don’t like it at all.”

MSNBC commentators described Trump’s remarks as “very harsh words,” a significant departure from his previous rhetoric regarding Putin. This strong criticism, coming from a former president who often avoided direct condemnation of the Russian leader, underscores a potential shift in perspective, possibly influenced by the escalating brutality of the war and the mounting international pressure on Russia. While Trump’s past affinity for Putin has been well-documented, this public rebuke signals a clear distancing from the current actions of the Russian government, even if the underlying reasons remain complex and open to interpretation.