‘Putin playing with fire,’ Trump warns

DDM News

President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin, cautioning him against “playing with fire” amid growing tensions over the stalled peace negotiations in Ukraine.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports that Trump’s remarks came just days after he called Putin “crazy” in response to a deadly Russian drone strike on Ukraine that claimed the lives of at least 13 people.

Speaking through his Truth Social account on Tuesday, the U.S. President suggested that Russia was treading a dangerous path.

“What Vladimir Putin doesn’t realise 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 further stated, “He’s playing with fire!”

Although Trump did not clarify what he meant by “really bad things,” his comments are seen as a signal of growing frustration with Moscow’s conduct in the ongoing war.

Reports from Wall Street Journal and CNN suggest that the White House is considering new sanctions on Russia, possibly to be implemented within the week.

When asked about this by journalists on Sunday, Trump confirmed that additional punitive measures were “absolutely” under consideration.

This marks a significant shift in tone from Trump, who has in the past spoken in favorable terms about the Russian leader.

However, his patience appears to be wearing thin in light of recent developments.

Trump’s criticism reached a new height over the weekend following Russia’s largest recorded drone assault on Ukraine, an attack described by military officials as “unprecedented.”

In a follow-up post, Trump expressed disappointment over Putin’s behavior, stating: “I’ve always had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin of Russia, but something has happened to him. He has gone absolutely crazy!”

Despite a recent phone call between both leaders, during which Trump claimed Putin agreed to begin immediate ceasefire negotiations, Russia has continued its military strikes.

On Tuesday, Moscow accused Kyiv of attempting to sabotage peace efforts, framing its own aerial assaults as retaliation against Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian targets.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, diplomatic relations between Moscow and Washington have steadily deteriorated.

While Trump, during his earlier presidency, maintained a relatively cordial relationship with Putin, the protracted conflict in Ukraine has introduced a new level of hostility.

Efforts at a ceasefire have repeatedly stalled, with both sides blaming each other for the breakdown in talks.

The latest escalation comes amid renewed global calls for a diplomatic resolution to the war, which has killed thousands and displaced millions.

Trump’s warning reflects a growing concern within the U.S. administration that Russia may be abandoning diplomatic solutions in favor of intensified military aggression.

Analysts believe that if Trump follows through with new sanctions, it could further strain U.S.-Russia relations, which are already at one of their lowest points since the Cold War.

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