US President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying he is “playing with fire” as the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war shows no signs of abating.
In a post on Truth Social on Tuesday, Trump wrote, “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. He’s playing with fire!”
The US president’s remarks follow a series of sharp comments he reportedly made on Sunday about both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Trump’s harsh criticism of Putin and Zelenskyy
“I’m not happy with what Putin’s doing,” Trump told reporters before departing from Morristown, New Jersey, to Washington. “I don’t know what the hell happened to Putin,” he added.
Later that day, Trump wrote on Truth Social that Putin “has gone absolutely CRAZY!” He also criticised Zelenskyy, accusing him of doing his country “no favors by talking the way he does,” referencing Zelensky’s recent criticism of the US for its perceived silence over Russia’s latest attacks.
In response to Trump’s escalating rhetoric, Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev warned on social media: “Regarding Trump’s words about Putin ‘playing with fire’ and ‘really bad things’ happening to Russia. I only know of one REALLY BAD thing – WWIII. I hope Trump understands this.”
Prisoner swap offers rare moment of cooperation amid ongoing conflict
Meanwhile, in a rare sign of cooperation amid the conflict, Russia and Ukraine completed a major prisoner exchange on Sunday, releasing hundreds of detainees on both sides.
Ukraine’s Defense Ministry confirmed that 303 soldiers were swapped on Sunday, following exchanges of 307 individuals on Saturday and 390 on Friday — marking the largest prisoner swaps since the war began, AP reported.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the exchange on X, saying, “303 Ukrainian defenders are home.” He added that the returning troops included members of the Armed Forces, National Guard, State Border Guard Service, and State Special Transport Service.
Despite the prisoner exchange, the violence continues unabated. Kyiv and other Ukrainian regions were hit by a massive Russian drone and missile attack on Sunday that killed at least 12 people and injured dozens. Ukrainian officials described it as the largest aerial assault since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Kyiv’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, reported that air defense forces were actively countering enemy drones, while Kharkiv and its suburbs also came under sustained drone attacks for the third consecutive night.
With agencies’ inputs
Anurag Dhole is a seasoned journalist and content writer with a passion for delivering timely, accurate, and engaging stories. With over 8 years of experience in digital media, she covers a wide range of topics—from breaking news and politics to business insights and cultural trends. Jane's writing style blends clarity with depth, aiming to inform and inspire readers in a fast-paced media landscape. When she’s not chasing stories, she’s likely reading investigative features or exploring local cafés for her next writing spot.
- ANURAG DHOLEhttps://indiatadkha.com/author/bitlancetechhubgmail-com/
- ANURAG DHOLEhttps://indiatadkha.com/author/bitlancetechhubgmail-com/
- ANURAG DHOLEhttps://indiatadkha.com/author/bitlancetechhubgmail-com/
- ANURAG DHOLEhttps://indiatadkha.com/author/bitlancetechhubgmail-com/
