Trump issues stark warning to Putin over Ukraine aggression

says Russian leader is 'playing with fire'

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, issued a strong warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin, accusing him of “playing with fire” over aggression and attacks on Ukraine.

The Guardian reports that Trump expressed growing frustration over stalled peace efforts in the ongoing Ukraine conflict.

Trump’s remarks come in the wake of a major Russian aerial assault on Kyiv that claimed the lives of at least 13 people and intensified international concerns about the war’s escalation.

Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, on Tuesday to issue the warning.

He claimed that Russia would have faced severe consequences if not for his previous restraint.

“What Vladimir Putin doesn’t realize is that if it weren’t for me, lots of really bad things would have already happened to Russia, and I mean REALLY BAD,” Trump wrote.

He stopped short of clarifying what those threats entailed but concluded emphatically: “He’s playing with fire!”

While Trump has not yet laid out any concrete retaliatory measures, multiple media outlets, including The Wall Street Journal and CNN, reported that he is considering imposing new sanctions on Russia as early as this week.

These sources stressed, however, that Trump could still reverse course.

In a conversation with reporters on Sunday, Trump confirmed that he was “absolutely” thinking about escalating sanctions against Moscow.

The White House also indicated a flexible approach, stating that all options remain on the table.

Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, reiterated this stance in a statement to AFP, saying:

“This war is Joe Biden’s fault, and President Trump has been clear he wants to see a negotiated peace deal.

“President Trump has also smartly kept all options on the table,” she added.

The Biden administration had implemented broad sanctions in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

It targeted Russian financial institutions and oligarchs.

Trump, by contrast, had so far refrained from imposing what he described as potentially “devastating” sanctions on Russian banks.

However, his recent shift in tone suggests a possible pivot toward a tougher stance.

Trump’s rhetoric marks a notable departure from his previous posture toward Putin.

During his presidency and beyond, Trump often praised Putin and hesitated to criticize him publicly.

This apparent admiration has now given way to frustration, largely driven by Russia’s unwillingness to progress in ceasefire negotiations with Ukraine.

Trump’s discontent peaked over the weekend, when he responded to Russia’s massive drone attack on Kyiv with a strongly worded post on Truth Social.

“I’ve always had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin of Russia, but something has happened to him.

“He has gone absolutely CRAZY!” Trump wrote on Sunday night.

The drone attack, the largest of its kind since the war began, occurred despite recent diplomatic contact between Trump and Putin.

According to Trump, the two leaders had a phone call just over a week ago, during which Putin supposedly agreed to begin ceasefire talks “immediately.”

The continuation of Russian strikes in the aftermath of that conversation has fueled skepticism over Moscow’s sincerity in pursuing peace.

On Tuesday, the Kremlin pushed back, accusing Ukraine of undermining peace negotiations.

Russian officials defended their air raids as retaliation for increased Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian civilian areas.

Meanwhile, pressure is mounting within the U.S. Congress for Trump to take firmer action against Russia.

Longtime Republican Senator Chuck Grassley called for immediate and decisive measures, asserting that it was time to signal to Putin that the game was over.

Senators Lindsey Graham, a Republican, and Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat, joined the calls for harsher penalties.

They specifically advocated for secondary sanctions aimed at countries that continue to purchase Russian oil, gas, and raw materials, moves that could significantly strain Russia’s economy.

The latest developments underscore a complex shift in Trump’s approach to foreign policy and diplomacy with Russia.

Once known for his conciliatory tone toward Putin, Trump now appears more combative, driven by a combination of public pressure, geopolitical realities, and the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Ukraine.

As the situation continues to evolve, all eyes are on what concrete actions Trump may take next to confront the Kremlin.

For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook