Washington [US], May 28: US President Donald Trump said that Russian President Vladimir Putin is playing with fire as Russia continues to attack Ukraine despite the White House's mediation efforts.
"What Vladimir Putin doesn't realize is that if it weren't for me, a lot of really bad things would have happened to Russia, and I mean really bad. He's playing with fire," President Trump wrote on the social network Truth Social on the evening of May 27.
The comments signal a shift in the US president's stance on Russia following major attacks in Ukraine in recent days. Trump has previously criticised Putin and warned that if the Kremlin leader pursues the goal of annexing all of Ukraine, Russia "will collapse".
The weekend attack was one of the most intense in Ukraine, with hundreds of drones flying across the country each night. Russia said it was responding to Ukrainian attacks.
The attack coincided with Russia and Ukraine carrying out the largest prisoner and civilian exchange since the beginning of the conflict, with each side receiving 1,000 people.
Mr Trump has long touted his personal relationship with Mr Putin in his efforts to find a quick solution to the conflict that has lasted more than three years. The US leader has also refused to join European allies in imposing additional sanctions on Russia over concerns that the country would pull out of talks with Ukraine.
US media reported that Mr. Trump is now considering imposing new sanctions on Russia this week but could change his mind. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said President Trump is keeping all options open, according to AFP.
Responding to the latest criticism from the White House owner, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev dismissed the seriousness of Mr. Trump's threats. "Regarding Mr. Trump's words about Mr. Putin playing with fire and really bad things happening to Russia, I know only one really bad thing - World War III. I hope Mr. Trump understands this," Mr. Medvedev wrote on the social network X.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
