Trump Warns Putin He Is “Playing With Fire” as Ukraine War Escalates

(The Post News)- U.S. President Donald Trump sharply escalated his rhetoric against Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, warning that the Kremlin leader is “playing with fire” amid growing frustration over the ongoing war in Ukraine and stalled peace negotiations.

The statement, posted on Trump’s Truth Social platform, marks a significant departure from his historically deferential tone toward Putin.

“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.

Trump did not clarify what the “really bad” consequences would have been, nor did he specify any concrete retaliatory measures. The White House declined to comment when contacted by AFP. However, according to reports from The Wall Street Journal and CNN, Trump is considering imposing new sanctions against Moscow as early as this week, although sources note that he may still reverse course.

The sharp rebuke follows a record Russian drone attack on Ukraine over the weekend that killed at least 13 civilians and triggered international condemnation. Trump responded on Sunday by calling Putin “absolutely CRAZY” a rare public condemnation of the Russian leader by the former president.

During his 2024 presidential campaign, Trump frequently touted his personal relationship with Putin and claimed he could end the war in Ukraine “within 24 hours” if re-elected. His latest remarks suggest a shift in strategy as diplomatic talks remain deadlocked and violence escalates.

“I held things back,” Trump told reporters earlier this week. “No one else could have kept a lid on this the way I did.”

Trump has long criticised the Biden administration’s sweeping sanctions on Russia follower its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. While Biden’s approach targeted Russian financial institutions and oligarchs, Trump argued that overly aggressive sanctions could be “devastating” and backfire economically.

Now, Trump appears to be reevaluating that stance as he positions himself as a potential broker of peace. Sources close to the former president suggest he is losing patience with Moscow’s refusal to make progress in truce negotiations with Kyiv.

“Trump sees himself as the only one who can pressure Putin to the table,” one advisor told The Washington Post. “But he’s also signaling that even he has limits.”

Analysts suggest Trump’s comments are aimed at multiple audiences: warning Putin, energising his political base, and pressuring the Biden administration. By hinting at past restraint and unspoken influence over Russia, Trump is reinforcing his image as a dealmaker who kept global tensions in check.

Whether his latest warnings lead to concrete action remains to be seen. For now, the world is watching how the former president’s shifting tone may influence the next phase of the conflict and the future of U.S.-Russia relations.