Trump Goes After Who?

President Trump on Thursday voiced his frustration with Russia after it carried out deadly missile strikes on Kyiv, just hours after he had criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The remarks reflected Trump’s growing impatience with the continued fighting and came at a delicate moment in U.S.-led efforts to broker a ceasefire.

“I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Let’s get the Peace Deal DONE!”

The strikes, which hit early Thursday morning, reportedly killed at least eight people and wounded dozens more in what has been described as the deadliest assault on Ukraine’s capital in months. The timing of the attack drew extra attention because it came on the heels of Trump’s harsh public remarks toward Zelensky, deepening the perception of disarray in his administration’s approach to the war.

Trump has repeatedly pushed for a ceasefire, pressuring both Ukraine and Russia to come to the table. But in recent days, his top aides have warned that the administration may abandon its mediation efforts altogether if there’s no breakthrough soon. Behind closed doors, frustration is building as both sides appear unwilling to compromise.

Tensions escalated further when Trump criticized Zelensky on Wednesday for rejecting the idea that Ukraine would ever accept Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea a stance Kyiv has consistently maintained. Trump’s comments, which some read as undermining Ukraine’s position, sparked confusion about where the administration truly stands.

The ongoing war, now stretching into its third year, has increasingly become a political liability for Trump. His oscillating tone at times sympathetic to Russia, at other times condemning it has drawn criticism both at home and abroad. Calls for consistency are growing, even from within his own party.

With mounting casualties and no clear path to peace, Trump’s calls for a swift resolution ring increasingly urgent but so far, they’ve yielded little progress. His public plea to Russian President Vladimir Putin may underscore the gravity of the situation, but it also highlights how little control Washington appears to have over the outcome.

The latest developments are unlikely to help Trump politically. As his foreign policy strategy faces scrutiny and pressure mounts on the global stage, even his allies are beginning to question whether his administration can deliver on its promise to end the war.