Trump writes ‘Vladimir, STOP!’ after Russia launches deadliest strikes on Kyiv since last summer

Kyiv, UkraineCNN — US President Donald Trump said he is “not happy” after Russia launched its deadliest wave of attacks on Kyiv in nine months, telling President Vladimir Putin to “STOP!” as he attempts to push Ukraine to agree on a contentious ceasefire proposal.Moscow sent 70 missiles and 145 drones toward Ukraine, mainly targeting Kyiv, in an attack that leader Volodymyr Zelensky said was aimed at pressuring the United States.“I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Lets get the Peace Deal DONE!” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Thursday.At least 12 people died in the strikes with 90 injured, according to Ukraine’s emergency services, and more casualties may be trapped under rubble. The emergency services said Moscow’s assault struck 13 locations in Kyiv, including residential buildings and civilian infrastructure.It was the costliest attack on the city since July 2024, when 33 people were killed in an aerial barrage that targeted a hospital and residential districts.Zelensky said during a trip to South Africa that the bombardment was “first and foremost” aimed at “pressuring the US.” He sought to push back against Trump’s efforts to corral Kyiv into making concessions, telling reporters: “The fact that Ukraine is ready to sit down at a negotiating table after (a) full ceasefire with terrorists… is a big compromise.”Trump posted on Wednesday that he is “not happy” with Russia’s attacks.Trump posted on Wednesday that he is “not happy” with Russia’s attacks. Reuters/Getty ImagesAnd Zelensky, who was speaking to reporters shortly before Trump’s social media post, sought to highlight imbalances in the administration’s stances towards Kyiv and Moscow.“This is (an issue of) our survival. We are very direct and transparent in this matter,” the Ukrainian leader said. “I don’t see strong pressure against Russia and new strong sanctions packages against the Russian aggression for now.”Speaking in the White House on Thursday, Trump acknowledged “a lot of hatred” between Ukraine and Russia, but insisted: “I think they both want to make peace, I do believe so.”“We are thinking very strongly that they both want peace, but they have to get to the table – we’re waiting a long time, they have to get them to the table, and I think we’re going to get peace,” Trump told reporters in response to a CNN question during a lunch meeting with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.Zelensky said Moscow’s latest attack was “one of the most complex, most daring attacks coming from Russia.” Russia’s defense ministry said it carried out “a massive strike with high-precision long-range air, land and sea-based weapons, unmanned aerial vehicles on enterprises of the aviation, missile and space, mechanical engineering and armored industries of Ukraine, production of rocket fuel and gunpowder.”“The strike objectives were achieved. All targets were hit,” Moscow said.A search and rescue operation is underway to find people caught under rubble, according to Ukrainian local and national authorities.Following the attacks on Kyiv, Zelensky announced he was cutting short his visit to South Africa, where he landed late on Wednesday, to return to Ukraine.“It is extremely important that everyone around the world sees and understands what is really happening” he said, adding that Ukraine would immediately contact its international partners regarding its requests to strengthen air defenses.French President Emmanuel Macron strongly condemned the attacks, saying Putin needs to “stop lying.”“He says “I want peace” and continues to bomb and kill in Ukraine,” Macron told reporters during a visit to Madagascar.The French leader said it was important to reiterate to the US that there is “one aggressor: Russia and one aggressed: Ukraine,” saying that “America’s anger should be focused on one person: President Putin.”