Published: 09:26, May 28, 2025 | Updated: 10:24, May 28, 2025
Ukraine conflict: Trump says Putin is 'playing with fire'
By Xinhua
This combination of pictures created on Nov 7, 2024 shows then former US president and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump (left) in Cumming, Georgia, on Oct 15, 2024, and Russia's President Vladimir Putin (right) in Kazan on Oct 24, 2024. (PHOTOS / AFP)

WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump on Tuesday warned Russian President Vladimir Putin that he is "playing with fire" as the Russia-Ukraine conflict shows no immediate signs of ending.

"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 in a Truth Social post Tuesday morning.

Trump on Sunday made harsh remarks on both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

READ MORE: Trump makes tough remarks on Putin, Zelensky

"I'm not happy with what Putin's doing," Trump told reporters before he took Air Force One from Morristown, New Jersey back to Washington, D.C.

"I don't know what the hell happened to Putin," he said.

Later on Sunday evening, Trump wrote in a Truth Social post that Putin "has gone absolutely CRAZY!"

He then turned to Zelensky, saying he was doing his country "no favors by talking the way he does", a reference to statements Zelensky made earlier on Sunday criticizing US silence on the latest Russian attacks.

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The Trump administration has warned in recent months that it could walk away from the frustrating negotiations for a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.

In response to Trump's escalating criticism, Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev wrote in a social media post on Tuesday that "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."