Washington, D.C. – U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed frustration over deadly Russian airstrikes on Kyiv, which killed at least 12 people and injured 90 others, calling the attacks “not necessary” and warning President Vladimir Putin to “STOP.”
Speaking at a joint press conference with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre at the White House on Thursday, Trump said he is “not happy” with the latest escalation and emphasized that he is “putting a lot of pressure” on both Russia and Ukraine to end the war.
The overnight strikes on the Ukrainian capital mark the deadliest attack on Kyiv since July of last year and come at a sensitive time, as negotiations for a peace deal appear to be reaching a critical stage. Trump, who has long claimed he could quickly broker an end to the conflict, now faces renewed scrutiny over his administration’s stance on Ukraine.
In a rare public rebuke of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump posted on Truth Social: “Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP!” Despite this criticism, the president did not outline any immediate retaliatory actions against Russia but hinted that “things will happen” if the bombings continue and a deal is not reached within a week.
Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is scheduled to meet with Russian officials in Moscow on Friday in an effort to revive stalled peace negotiations.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who was visiting South Africa at the time of the attack, cut his trip short to return home. During a press conference with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Zelensky stressed that Ukraine remains open to dialogue, but insisted a ceasefire must come first.
“We believe that if more pressure is applied to Russia, we’ll be able to make our positions closer,” Zelensky said, adding that Ukraine’s willingness to negotiate is already a significant concession.
He further stated, “If Russia says it is ready to cease fire, it must stop massive strikes against Ukraine. It is Ukrainians who are running out of patience, because it is us who are under attack.”
Tensions have also surfaced between Trump and Zelensky, particularly over the issue of territorial concessions. Trump has previously suggested that Ukraine may need to cede some land to reach a deal – a proposal strongly opposed by Kyiv. Ukraine has made it clear it will not recognize Russia’s control over Crimea, annexed in 2014.
Vice President JD Vance reiterated the administration’s position earlier this week, suggesting that a peace plan could involve “freezing territorial lines” and called for compromises from both sides. However, such a stance remains deeply controversial, as it would legitimize changes to borders by force—contrary to international legal standards.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed Trump’s urgency, saying, “We’ve shown them the finish line. We need both of them to say yes, but what happened last night with those missile strikes should remind everybody of why this war needs to end.”
In South Africa, relations between Zelensky and Ramaphosa appear to have improved, with Ramaphosa expressing concern about the war and reaffirming his country’s commitment to mediation. South Africa, which maintains a non-aligned stance, has positioned itself as a potential intermediary in peace negotiations.
Following Trump’s re-election, Ukraine has shifted focus to expanding its international partnerships, particularly in Africa, amid a perceived cooling of support from Washington. The U.S. has recently cut aid and expelled South Africa’s ambassador, straining bilateral relations.
While Trump has reiterated that his allegiance lies only in “saving lives,” the path to a peace deal remains uncertain—especially as violence escalates and diplomatic efforts face new hurdles.
