WASHINGTON, USA — U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a sharp warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin, accusing him of “playing with fire” as the White House considers fresh sanctions in response to ongoing Russian military actions in Ukraine.
The message, delivered via Trump’s Truth Social platform on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, reflects the president’s increasing exasperation with Moscow over stalled peace negotiations and continued aerial assaults against Ukrainian cities.
“What Vladimir Putin doesn’t realize is that if it weren’t for me, lots of really bad things would have already happened to Russia, and I mean REALLY BAD. He’s playing with fire!” Trump wrote, without specifying what measures he was referring to.
The statement came just two days after Trump described Putin as “absolutely CRAZY” following what Ukrainian officials called the largest Russian drone attack since the start of the war, which killed at least 13 people.
While the White House has yet to officially confirm any forthcoming policy shift, reports by The Wall Street Journal and CNN suggest Trump is considering a new round of sanctions targeting Russia’s economy.
He told reporters over the weekend that he was “absolutely” weighing tougher measures against Moscow.
Trump’s rhetoric marks a notable departure from his previously more conciliatory tone toward Putin.
During the 2024 election campaign, he touted his “very good relationship” with the Russian leader and pledged to end the Ukraine conflict “within 24 hours” of taking office.
That promise now appears to be running aground as ceasefire talks remain in a deadlock.
Trump reportedly held a phone conversation with Putin eight days ago, during which the Russian president agreed to “immediately” initiate talks with Ukraine.
Despite this, Russian air strikes have persisted.
Moscow, for its part, blamed Kyiv for the breakdown in negotiations.
On Tuesday, May 27, 2025, the Kremlin accused Ukraine of attempting to “disrupt” peace efforts and claimed its own recent attacks were in response to increased Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian territory.
Trump has also turned his frustration toward Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
In a post on Sunday, May 25, 2025, Trump criticised Zelenskyy for his rhetoric, saying he was “doing his Country no favours by talking the way he does.”
The remark follows reports of a tense exchange between the two leaders in the Oval Office earlier this year.
Calls for stronger sanctions have also grown louder in Congress.
Republican Senator Chuck Grassley wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that it was “time for sanctions” severe enough to signal to Putin that it is “game over.”
Senators Lindsay Graham (R) and Richard Blumenthal (D) have likewise urged “secondary” sanctions on countries purchasing Russian oil and raw materials.
Trump’s envoy to Ukraine, retired General Keith Kellogg, defended the president’s tone in an interview with Fox News on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.
“The president’s frustration is understandable,” Kellogg said, adding that plans were underway to organise new peace talks, likely in Geneva after Moscow rejected the Vatican as a neutral venue.
Kellogg indicated that the ultimate aim would be a direct summit between Presidents Trump, Putin, and Zelensky, to “hammer this thing out.”
