US President Donald Trump has made a striking new admission about Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Despite many of Trump's critics often voicing concerns about the POTUS' relationship with Putin, the 78-year-old has now taken to social media to suggest that the Kremlin leader may not be serious about ending the war in Ukraine — and hinting that he might need to be "dealt with differently".
In a lengthy post on Truth Social - shared on Saturday (April 26) - Trump took aim at "The Failing New York Times" and how the publication would slam any deal he orchestrated between Russia and Ukraine - "even if it’s the greatest deal ever made".
"This is Sleepy Joe Biden’s War, not mine," Trump added. "It was a loser from day one, and should have never happened, and wouldn’t have happened if I were President at the time. I’m just trying to clean up the mess that was left to me by Obama and Biden, and what a mess it is."
However, in a surprising turn, Trump then publicly questioned Putin and his intent regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine, specifically referring to Russia's deadly attack on Kyiv earlier this week.
Trump wrote: "With all of that being said, there was no reason for Putin to be shooting missiles into civilian areas, cities and towns, over the last few days.
"It makes me think that maybe he doesn’t want to stop the war, he’s just tapping me along, and has to be dealt with differently, through 'Banking' or 'Secondary Sanctions?' Too many people are dying!!!"
On the morning of April 24, Kyiv suffered its deadliest Russian assault in nine months, per CBS News. The Ukrainian air force reported that 66 ballistic and cruise missiles, four plane-launched missiles, and 145 Shahed and decoy drones were unleashed on Kyiv and the surrounding regions, adds The Washington Post.
The attack left at least nine people dead and over 70 injured, with emergency workers pulling survivors from the rubble of collapsed buildings.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who was in South Africa at the time, cut his trip short and returned home, calling the Russian bombardment "one of [Russia’s] most outrageous."
As Ukraine mourned, Trump took to Truth Social again to address the attack, directing a public message at Putin: "Not necessary, and very bad timing," he wrote. "Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Lets get the Peace Deal DONE!”
Trump’s frustration was not limited to Russia. He also took aim at Zelenskyy, criticizing the Ukrainian leader for rejecting recent peace proposals over Crimea.
“There is nothing to talk about. This violates our Constitution. This is our territory, the territory of the people of Ukraine,” Zelensky said, per Al Jazeera, rebuffing any negotiation that involved ceding Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014.
However, despite tensions boiling over, it appears that progress may be being made - even if it is just between the US and Ukraine.
Earlier this week, Trump asserted that a deal between Ukraine and Russia was "very close" and pressured Zelenskyy to finalize it: "We are very close to a Deal, but the man with ‘no cards to play’ should now, finally, GET IT DONE," he wrote. "I look forward to being able to help Ukraine, and Russia, get out of this Complete and Total MESS, that would have never started if I were President!"
Additionally, before the funeral of Pope Francis in Vatican City on April 26, Trump and Zelenskyy held a private meeting — their first in-person encounter since their tense White House exchange earlier this year.
According to aides, the two leaders met for about 15 minutes on the sidelines of the ceremony, shortly before gathering with other dignitaries at St Peter’s Square.
Ukrainian presidential spokesman Serhiy Nykyforov confirmed the meeting, telling reporters: "The leaders agreed to continue their discussions today. Teams are working on organising the continuation of the meeting," per France24.
A White House spokesman, Steven Cheung, described the initial conversation as "a very productive discussion" and indicated that further details would be provided at a later time.
Both leaders spoke positively about the encounter afterward. Trump characterized the meeting as part of ongoing efforts to move peace negotiations forward, while Zelenskyy took to social media to call it a “good meeting,” adding: “We discussed a lot one-on-one. Hoping for results on everything we covered. Protecting lives of our people. Full and unconditional ceasefire. Reliable and lasting peace that will prevent another war from breaking out. Very symbolic meeting that has potential to become historic, if we achieve joint results.”
The two were also photographed in a larger four-way exchange with French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.