Trump Warns Putin of Dangerous Games Amid Stalled Peace Talks

U.S. President Donald Trump cautioned Vladimir Putin on Tuesday that he is «playing with fire,» intensifying his criticism of the Russian leader over the stalled negotiations for peace in Ukraine.

Trump’s remarks followed his description of Putin as «CRAZY» over the weekend after a large-scale Russian airstrike on Kyiv, during which he warned that Moscow might face new sanctions.

«What Vladimir Putin fails to understand is that, without my intervention, many dire situations could have already befallen Russia, and I mean REALLY DIRE,» Trump stated on his Truth Social platform.

«He’s really playing with fire!»

He did not elaborate on what he considered the «really dire» situations, nor did he issue any explicit threats.

Nonetheless, both The Wall Street Journal and CNN reported that Trump is contemplating additional sanctions against Russia as soon as this week, although he indicated that his position could still change.

On Sunday, Trump told reporters that he was «absolutely» considering tightening sanctions on Moscow.

The recent criticisms from the U.S. president represent a significant shift in his previously favorable view of Putin, whom he has often praised and previously refrained from publicly criticizing.

However, Trump has expressed increasing frustration with Moscow’s stance regarding the stalled ceasefire talks with Kyiv, which escalated after Russia launched a significant drone attack on Ukraine, resulting in at least 13 fatalities.

«I’ve always maintained a strong relationship with Vladimir Putin of Russia, but something has shifted in him. He has truly gone CRAZY!» Trump posted on Truth Social on Sunday night.

Despite a phone conversation between Trump and Putin just eight days ago, where the U.S. president claimed that the Russian leader had agreed to initiate ceasefire discussions «immediately,» Russia’s assaults have persisted.

On Tuesday, Moscow accused Kyiv of attempting to «disrupt» peace initiatives, claiming that its recent aerial attacks on Ukraine were a «response» to escalating Ukrainian drone strikes against its own civilians.