ISTANBUL

US President Donald Trump stepped up his criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling him “crazy” and warning that any attempt by him to conquer all of Ukraine “will lead to the downfall of Russia.”

“I’ve always had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin of Russia, but something has happened to him. He has gone absolutely crazy!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform Sunday after telling reporters in New Jersey that he is “not happy” with Russia’s deadly missile barrages targeting Ukrainian cities and is weighing fresh sanctions on Moscow.

“He’s needlessly killing a lot of people, and I’m not just talking about soldiers. Missiles and drones are being shot into cities in Ukraine, for no reason whatsoever,” he said.

Earlier, Trump told reporters: “We’re in the middle of talking, and he’s shooting rockets into Kyiv and other cities. I don’t like it at all,” adding he is “absolutely” considering sanctions.

At least 12 people were killed early Sunday in Ukraine following large-scale Russian drone attacks on the war-torn country for the second night in a row as Moscow and Kyiv continued to trade accusations over airstrikes.

Trump also took aim at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, claiming his rhetoric is unhelpful.

“Zelenskyy is doing his country no favors by talking the way he does. Everything out of his mouth causes problems. I don’t like it, and it better stop,” he said.

Labeling the ongoing war as a result of “gross incompetence and hatred,” Trump said “this is a war that would never have started if I were president. This is Zelenskyy’s, Putin’s, and (former US President Joe) Biden’s war — not ‘Trump’s.’ I am only helping to put out the big and ugly fires.”

Last week during a phone call with European leaders, Trump said that Putin is not ready to end the war in Ukraine as he believes he is winning, The Wall Street Journal reported.