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Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin (Image: GETTY)
The Kremlin has apparently goaded Donald Trump after he branded Russian leader Vladimir Putin “crazy” — by claiming the US President is suffering from “emotional overload” as he struggles to cope with the pressure of brokering peace in Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov directly responded to Mr Trump's online outburst by suggesting the President's remarks stemmed from stress as the latest Russian bombardment threatened to derail ceasefire efforts.
Peskov claimed: “These statements are linked to emotional overload. This is a decisive moment, and emotions are running high.”
Mr Trump - who once claimed he would end the war within 24 hours of returning to the White House - had posted on social media: “I’ve always had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin of Russia, but something has happened to him. He has gone absolutely CRAZY!”
He added: “Missiles and drones are being shot into cities in Ukraine, for no reason whatsoever… If Putin wants to conquer all of Ukraine, it will lead to the downfall of Russia!”
He also lashed out at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, saying he was “doing his country no favours by talking the way he does”.
The Kremlin's response came after Russia launched the biggest drone assault of the war, firing 355 drones on Sunday night, according to Ukrainian officials.
That strike followed a previous wave involving 298 drones and 69 missiles, making it the most intense phase of Moscow’s aerial campaign since the full-scale invasion began more than three years ago.
Mr Zelensky said the attacks were politically driven and not based on any clear military objective. He said: “Only a sense of complete impunity can allow Russia to carry out such attacks and continually escalate their scale.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov (Image: Getty)
He added: “There is no significant military logic to this, but there is considerable political meaning.”
He repeated his call for stricter international sanctions, adding: “Russia's desire to fight must be deprived of resources.”
Mr Peskov insisted that diplomacy was not dead, despite the renewed attacks.
He said: “While there is no understanding of the location and timing of the next round of talks with Kyiv, it is necessary to prepare for it.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (Image: GETTY)
He also confirmed that the prisoner exchange deal agreed during earlier talks in Istanbul was being honoured. He said: “The implementation of the Istanbul agreements will continue.”
Over the weekend, Russia and Ukraine swapped more than 1,000 prisoners in three rounds of exchanges. Russia’s defence ministry said both sides exchanged 303 soldiers on Sunday, following similar swaps involving hundreds more on Friday and Saturday.
Mr Peskov also attempted to justify the intensity of Russia’s recent strikes, claiming they were a response to Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory in the run-up to Victory Day on May 9.
He said: “Foreign leaders witnessed Kyiv's attempts to strike Russian territory. These attempts continue.”
Peskov also flatly denied any Russian involvement in the arson attacks on Sir Keir's homes (Image: X)
Peskov confirmed that backchannel contact remained open between Moscow and Washington but dismissed the idea of a broader thaw. He said: “There are contacts between the special services of the Russian Federation and the United States, but it is too early to talk about large-scale cooperation.”
In another dig at the West, Mr Peskov ridiculed British media reports linking Moscow to the suspected arson attack at Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s home.
He said: “London is inclined to suspect Moscow of involvement in everything bad that is happening in Britain. This is ridiculous.”
He also confirmed that Putin would meet Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan for talks. He said: “The President will receive the head of the Turkish Foreign Ministry. Putin and Fidan will definitely discuss the Ukrainian story.”
While Mr Trump has threatened massive new sanctions on Russia, he has yet to follow through. In contrast, European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas confirmed fresh measures were on the way.
She said: “The latest attacks on Kyiv are totally appalling.”
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