Trump says Putin ‘playing with fire’ in new jab at Russian leader

MOSCOW/WASHINGTON – The Kremlin, commenting on remarks by US President Donald Trump that Mr Vladimir Putin was “playing with fire” by refusing to engage in ceasefire talks with Kyiv, said on May 28 that national interests were paramount to the Russian leader.

Mr Trump, who vowed to swiftly end the conflict in Ukraine, has backpedalled on a rapprochement with Moscow and lashed out at Mr Putin in a Truth Social post this week.

“What Vladimir Putin doesn’t realize is that if it weren’t for me, lots of really bad things would have already happened in Russia, and I mean REALLY BAD. He’s playing with fire,” Mr Trump wrote on May 27.

Mr Trump did not specify what the “really bad” things were, or make any specific threats.

Asked about Mr Trump’s comments, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it was clear the Trump administration is making “considerable efforts towards a peaceful settlement” and that Russia was “grateful for the mediation efforts of President Trump personally”.

But Mr Peskov said there were still “a lot of nuances” that needed to be worked through before a peace deal could be reached.

“Just like the United States, Russia has its own national interests, which are above all for us, and they are above all for our President.

“Therefore, we are also engaged in intense work, we are preparing for the next round of negotiations with the Ukrainian side, and we will continue our contacts with the Americans,” Mr Peskov told reporters in a daily briefing.

But the Wall Street Journal and CNN both reported that Mr Trump was now considering fresh sanctions against Russia as early as this week, while stressing that he could still change his mind.

Mr Trump had told reporters on May 25 he was “absolutely” considering increasing sanctions on Moscow.

The US President’s recent rebukes mark a major change from his previous attitude towards Mr Putin, whom he often spoke of with admiration and had previously held off criticising.

Mr Trump has, however, expressed increasing frustration with Moscow’s position in deadlocked truce negotiations with Kyiv.

That frustration boiled over at the weekend when Russia launched a record drone barrage at Ukraine,

killing at least 13 people.

“I’ve always had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin of Russia, but something has happened to him. He has gone absolutely CRAZY!” Mr Trump said in a Truth Social post on the night of May 25.

Russia’s attacks have continued despite

a phone call

between Mr Trump and Mr Putin eight days ago in which the US leader said the Russian President had agreed to “immediately” start ceasefire talks.

Moscow on May 27 accused Kyiv of trying to “disrupt” peace efforts and said its aerial assaults on Ukraine in recent days were a “response” to escalating Ukrainian drone strikes on its own civilians.REUTERS, AFP