Kremlin Attributes Trump’s Outburst Over Ukraine Strikes to ‘Emotional Overload’
The Kremlin on Monday downplayed U.S. President Donald Trump’s sharp criticism of Russian airstrikes on Ukraine, suggesting that his remarks stemmed from “emotional overload.” Trump, in a post on Truth Social on Sunday, described Russian President Vladimir Putin as having gone “absolutely CRAZY,” adding, “I’ve always said that he wants ALL of Ukraine, not just a piece of it, and maybe that’s proving to be right, but if he does, it will lead to the downfall of Russia!” He also told reporters in New Jersey, “I’m not happy with what Putin’s doing. What the hell happened to him? He’s killing a lot of people.”
In response, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Trump’s comments were part of an emotionally charged moment, not only for him but for everyone. “Of course … this is a very important moment, which is connected, of course, with the emotional overload of absolutely everyone, and with emotional reactions,” Peskov told journalists in Moscow. He emphasized that President Putin is making decisions strictly focused on safeguarding Russia’s national security.
Despite the charged rhetoric, Peskov acknowledged the role of the United States and President Trump in initiating recent peace efforts. He noted that Russia appreciated Washington’s involvement in facilitating the first direct talks with Ukraine in three years, held in Istanbul on May 16 under Turkish mediation.
That meeting concluded with a major prisoner exchange deal—1,000 detainees from each side—and an agreement to continue negotiations aimed at securing a truce. The timing and venue of the next round of talks remain under discussion.
