World Leaders Play Hot Potato with Ukraine Crisis

donald trump

President Trump tossed a verbal grenade Sunday, blasting Russia’s latest offensive in Ukraine as a wild overreach. He hinted at slapping more sanctions on Moscow, chuckling that he’s “not happy” with rockets raining on cities.

Speaking to reporters in New Jersey before hopping on Air Force One, Trump shook his head at Putin’s antics. He mused that he’s known the Russian leader forever but can’t figure out why he’s suddenly lobbing missiles.

Trump kept the jabs coming on social media, typing in all caps that Putin’s gone “absolutely CRAZY.” He quipped that the Russian president’s trigger-happy spree is wrecking Ukraine’s cities for no good reason.

The U.S. leader, usually cozy with trade talk, warned that Putin’s land-grab dreams might tank Russia’s future. He painted a picture of a country stumbling if it keeps chasing all of Ukraine.

Russia’s latest attack, a massive drone and missile party, left at least 12 dead and dozens nursing wounds. Ukraine’s cities woke up to a grim Monday, picking up pieces after the overnight chaos.

When asked about sanctions, Trump nodded with a smirk, saying Putin’s body count is begging for a response. He’s dangled the sanctions card sebelum, but this time he sounded ready to deal.

Trump, who’s often tipped his hat to Russia, admitted he was “surprised” by the escalation. He conveniently sidestepped that Moscow started this whole mess with an uninvited invasion in 2022.

Not one to play favorites, Trump also tossed shade at Ukraine’s President Zelensky. He grumbled that Zelensky’s whining about global silence isn’t winning any friends.

Zelensky had posted earlier, sighing that the world takes weekend breaks while war doesn’t. He nudged America and others to stop giving Putin a free pass with their quiet shrugs.

Trump fired back on Truth Social, saying Zelensky’s big mouth stirs trouble. He jokingly warned the Ukrainian leader to zip it before he causes more headaches.

The U.S. president also tried passing the war’s hot potato, claiming it’s not his mess. He once boasted he’d end the conflict in 24 hours, but now calls it “Zelensky’s, Putin’s, and Biden’s War.”

Russia’s barrage, one of the war’s biggest, hit Ukraine hard, with 367 drones and missiles screaming through the night. The strikes killed kids in Zhytomyr, leaving locals rattled by buzzing drones and anti-aircraft fire.

European leaders, watching this drama unfold, scratched their heads at Trump’s waffling. They’ve been pushing for sanctions but can’t seem to get him fully on board.

French President Macron, ever the optimist, hoped Trump’s grumpiness with Putin might spark some action. He crossed his fingers for sanctions that could make Russia think twice.

The Kremlin, playing it cool, said their strikes targeted military spots, not civilians. They brushed off Trump’s rant as an emotional outburst, probably with a sly grin.

Zelensky, not biting his tongue, posted on X that talk with Putin is nice but useless without real pressure. He argued only force, not chats, will rein in Russia’s aggression.

Across the pond, the EU and Britain didn’t wait for Trump, rolling out new sanctions faster than a London cabbie dodging traffic. They targeted Russia’s shadowy oil tankers and banks fueling the war machine.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, waving the sanctions flag, declared it’s time to squeeze Moscow harder. She’s prepping another package, hoping to nudge Russia toward a ceasefire.

Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul joined the chorus, calling Russia’s attacks “appalling.” He pushed for more sanctions, probably while sipping a strong coffee.

Ukraine’s top aide, Andriy Yermak, chimed in, saying Russia’s stalling peace talks like a bad date. He begged for sanctions and weapons to make Moscow move faster.

Trump’s special envoy, Keith Kellogg, finally piped up, urging allies to arm Ukraine to the teeth. He also floated seizing $300 billion in Russian assets, which sounds like quite a heist.

The Kremlin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, stayed polite, thanking Trump for peace efforts. Behind the scenes, Russia’s likely buying time while hammering Ukraine’s front lines.

Posts on X buzzed with chatter, some saying Trump’s flipping on Russia, others joking he’s just mad his buddy Putin’s acting up. The online crowd’s split, but nobody’s holding their breath for peace.

European leaders, frustrated by Trump’s hot-and-cold routine, worry he might ditch Ukraine for a shiny new deal with Russia. They’re bracing for a solo sanctions sprint if the U.S. bails.

Zelensky, caught in the crossfire, keeps pushing for a ceasefire but insists it’s negotiation or nothing. He’s not keen on surrendering land, which Putin seems to want gift-wrapped.

Trump’s earlier phone call with Putin, a two-hour chat-fest, yielded no ceasefire but plenty of headlines. The Kremlin spun it as friendly, while Trump called it a step toward peace.

Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed their strikes hit military factories, not dorms or homes. Ukraine’s officials, unimpressed, said civilian buildings took the brunt.

The war, now over three years old, keeps grinding, with Russia inching along a 620-mile front. Analysts say Moscow’s gearing up for a summer push, which sounds exhausting.

Trump’s sanctions threats, once a loud drumbeat, have often fizzled out. European allies, tired of waiting, are forging ahead, hoping to starve Russia’s war chest.

Ukraine’s pitched a bold sanctions plan to the EU, including snatching Russian assets. They’re worried Trump’s wobbly stance might leave them hanging.

The U.S. leader’s back-and-forth has Europe on edge, fearing a NATO rift. Some diplomats whisper Trump’s ready to wash his hands of the whole conflict.

For now, the war’s a messy game of diplomatic dodgeball, with sanctions flying and leaders ducking. Everyone’s talking peace, but nobody’s dropping their gloves yet.

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