Putin ‘playing with fire,’ Trump says as Russia avoids peace talks

Putin playing with fire, Trump says as Russia avoids ceasefire talks — US President Donald Trump, May 24, 2025. Photo: The White House

WASHINGTON,— U.S. President Donald Trump warned on Tuesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin is “playing with fire” by refusing to enter ceasefire negotiations, as Russian troops made new territorial gains in Ukraine’s Sumy region.

Trump’s comments came after Russian drone and missile strikes caused heavy damage in Ukraine, marking one of the most intense phases of the three-year war.

“If it weren’t for me, lots of really bad things would have already happened in Russia,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. “He’s playing with fire.”

Trump, who has previously touted a cooperative relationship with Putin, did not elaborate. Russian Security Council official Dmitry Medvedev responded on X: “I only know of one REALLY BAD thing — WWIII. I hope Trump understands this!”

On Sunday, Trump accused Putin of going “absolutely CRAZY” following a major wave of aerial attacks on Ukrainian targets.

Putin, speaking after a recent two-hour call with Trump, said Russia is prepared to work with Ukraine on a memorandum that could form the basis of a future peace deal. Part of the effort includes identifying a timeframe for a potential ceasefire. However, Ukraine, supported by the United States and Europe, has urged an immediate and unconditional 30-day ceasefire.

The Kremlin said on Tuesday that drafting the memorandum is ongoing, though it gave no timeline for completion. Western officials accuse Moscow of stalling while its troops press forward in combat.

On the ground, Kyiv suffered another blow as Russian forces captured four villages in the northeastern Sumy region, according to regional governor Oleh Hryhorov. The villages—Novenke, Basivka, Veselivka, and Zhuravka—were already evacuated.

Russia’s Defense Ministry confirmed the capture of Bilovody, a village nearby, pointing to continued momentum in the region.

Ukrainian officials say Russian forces have been making gradual advances, using motorcycles and drones to conduct dispersed operations. Ukrainian border guard personnel say the range of Russian attacks has widened in recent weeks.

Hryhorov wrote on Facebook that Russia is attempting to build a buffer zone. Putin raised the idea of such a zone during a visit to Russia’s Kursk region in March.

Ukraine previously launched attacks from Sumy into the adjacent Russian region but pulled back earlier this year. Since then, Sumy has come under frequent missile and bomb attacks.

Though the bulk of Russian combat remains focused on Donetsk, its efforts in Sumy and other fronts have increased pressure on Ukrainian defenses.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said Monday that Russia may be preparing new operations across Sumy, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia. “There is much evidence that they are preparing new offensive operations. Russia is counting on further war,” he said.

Trump has not announced new sanctions against Russia, but U.S. officials say a set of measures is ready should he choose to act. Ukraine continues to urge more U.S. military support.

Recent Ukrainian drone attacks inside Russia prompted temporary airport shutdowns near Moscow.

(With files from Reuters)