$TRUMP
Former U.S. President Donald Trump issued a sharp condemnation of Russian President Vladimir Putin following a large-scale drone and missile offensive against Ukraine, launched despite Trump’s recent appeal for a 30-day ceasefire. Speaking via Truth Social from the White House, Trump remarked that although he previously maintained a “strong and very good relationship” with Putin, he now believes the Russian leader has “completely lost his mind.” He further asserted that the conflict is driven by Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and U.S. President Joe Biden, declaring, “This is a war that would have never started if I were in office.”
Shortly after Trump's ceasefire proposal, Russia launched a widespread assault involving 250 drones and 14 ballistic missiles targeting Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. Ukrainian defense systems reportedly intercepted nearly 100 of these projectiles. In response, President Zelensky accused Moscow of deliberately extending the war and urged the international community to strengthen economic sanctions against Russia.
Amid escalating hostilities, reports reveal that nearly 29% of Russia's federal budget—approximately $152 billion—is now classified, presumably to conceal military expenditures and investments in occupied territories. Analysts suggest this secrecy aims to avoid triggering further international sanctions.
Diplomatic initiatives continue to falter. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized ongoing U.S. military support for Ukraine while pursuing dialogue with Moscow. However, negotiations have stalled, with Putin absent from recent peace talks in Istanbul, instead dispatching a low-level delegation.
In the U.S. Senate, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal, and supported by 81 senators, proposes stringent sanctions—including a 500% tariff on countries importing Russian energy—should Russia refuse to engage in meaningful negotiations.