U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday warned that Vladimir Putin is “playing with fire” by refusing to engage in ceasefire talks with Ukraine, as Russian forces make new territorial gains in the country’s northeast.
The comment followed intensified Russian attacks and growing concern in Washington over stalled peace efforts.
“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,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. He did not elaborate.
Trump’s post followed a series of deadly Russian drone and missile strikes in Ukraine—some of the most intense since the war began over three years ago—and came as frustration mounts over Moscow’s lack of progress on peace negotiations.
Russian Security Council official Dmitry Medvedev hit back online, writing: “Regarding Trump's words about Putin 'playing with fire' and 'really bad things' happening to Russia. I only know of one REALLY BAD thing — WWIII. I hope Trump understands this!”
Despite his past efforts to maintain strong ties with Putin, Trump has increasingly criticized the Kremlin’s actions. On Sunday, he said Putin had “gone absolutely CRAZY” following a massive aerial assault on Ukraine.
Putin had previously said after a call with Trump that Moscow was willing to work with Ukraine on a draft memorandum outlining a path to peace. That document is still in the works, according to the Kremlin. Kyiv and its Western allies continue to call for an immediate, unconditional ceasefire of at least 30 days.
U.S. envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg said Tuesday that Russia had promised to deliver a peace proposal, which would then be compared with Ukraine’s existing submission to identify common ground. Once Moscow sends over the memorandum, the next round of peace talks is expected to take place in Geneva.
Meanwhile, Russia is advancing on the battlefield. Ukrainian officials confirmed that four villages in the Sumy region—Novenke, Basivka, Veselivka and Zhuravka—had been captured by Russian troops. The region’s governor said the areas had already been evacuated, but the gains mark a worrying development as Moscow pushes closer to the border city of Sumy.
Russia’s Defence Ministry also claimed it had taken the nearby village of Bilovody. Officials in Kyiv say Russian troops, using motorcycles and drones, are widening their assaults along the northern front as they seek to establish a buffer zone—a concept Putin has publicly supported in recent months.
Ukrainian forces previously used the Sumy region to push into Russia’s Kursk area, but were largely driven back by April. Now, Russian attacks in Sumy have escalated alongside renewed offensives in Donetsk, Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia, stretching Ukraine’s defense lines.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned on Monday that Russia is preparing further offensives and remains committed to prolonging the war. Despite repeated calls from Kyiv, Trump has yet to impose new sanctions on Russia, though officials say a fresh package is ready if needed.
As fighting continues and diplomacy stalls, pressure is building on all sides to restart meaningful talks and prevent further escalation.
The world is likely to experience record-breaking temperatures through 2029, with the Arctic expected to warm at more than three times the global average, the UN weather agency warned in a new report.
UK’s largest water firm Thames Water has been hit with a record £122.7 million fine by Ofwat after the regulator concluded its most extensive investigation ever into the company's environmental violations and dividend practices.
Following high-level talks in Astana, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and President of Rwanda Paul Kagame adopted a joint statement and oversaw the exchange of nine cooperation documents between their countries.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he is reluctant to impose new sanctions on Russia, warning that such measures could jeopardize efforts to reach a ceasefire in Ukraine.
Top U.S. banks are quietly preparing to enter the crypto market through cautious pilot programs and partnerships, as regulators offer clearer signals. While enthusiasm grows, most lenders remain hesitant, seeking more clarity on rules before committing heavily.
A massive glacier collapse has destroyed most of the Swiss village of Blatten, leaving one person missing and nearly the entire town buried under debris.
Germany has dismissed Russian accusations of warmongering, defending its support for Ukraine’s missile development as a stand for international law.
The Czech government has summoned China’s ambassador over a cyberattack it says targeted the foreign ministry’s communications during its 2022 EU presidency.
Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will host French President Emmanuel Macron for talks in Rome on June 3, Meloni's office said on Wednesday.
Under the stars in Rome, Dior unveiled its cruise and haute couture 2026 collections with a dreamy runway show inspired by Italian cinema and theatre.
AnewZ takes to the streets of Yerevan and Baku to ask a simple yet deeply complex question: How do you see peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan? In the first part of our special report, we hear the hopes, doubts, and scars still shaping people’s perspectives on both sides.
A car drove into crowds of Liverpool fans celebrating the club’s Premier League title in the city centre on Monday evening, injuring dozens including 4 children. A 53-year-old man believed to be the driver was arrested at the scene.
On May 28, the inauguration ceremony of Lachin International Airport was held.
EU ministers have greenlit a massive €150 billion defense investment fund—dubbed the Security Action for Europe (SAFE)—as the bloc ramps up its military readiness in response to Russia’s aggression and growing uncertainty over U.S. security guarantees.
Kyiv faced a large-scale Russian drone and missile assault overnight, with explosions and gunfire echoing throughout the city, forcing residents to shelter in subway stations.
A massive glacier collapse has destroyed most of the Swiss village of Blatten, leaving one person missing and nearly the entire town buried under debris.
Germany has dismissed Russian accusations of warmongering, defending its support for Ukraine’s missile development as a stand for international law.
The Czech government has summoned China’s ambassador over a cyberattack it says targeted the foreign ministry’s communications during its 2022 EU presidency.
Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will host French President Emmanuel Macron for talks in Rome on June 3, Meloni's office said on Wednesday.
The International Labour Organization (ILO), headquartered in Geneva, has announced the loss of around 225 jobs due to significant funding cuts, mainly caused by the reduction of voluntary contributions from the United States under President Donald Trump.
A massive glacier collapse has destroyed most of the Swiss village of Blatten, leaving one person missing and nearly the entire town buried under debris.
Germany has dismissed Russian accusations of warmongering, defending its support for Ukraine’s missile development as a stand for international law.
The Czech government has summoned China’s ambassador over a cyberattack it says targeted the foreign ministry’s communications during its 2022 EU presidency.
Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will host French President Emmanuel Macron for talks in Rome on June 3, Meloni's office said on Wednesday.
Under the stars in Rome, Dior unveiled its cruise and haute couture 2026 collections with a dreamy runway show inspired by Italian cinema and theatre.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment