Introduction

President Donald Trump issued a rare and forceful public rebuke of Russian President Vladimir Putin on April 24, 2025, following a devastating missile and drone assault on Kyiv that left at least nine dead and over 80 wounded12. Despite his urgent call—“Vladimir, STOP!”—Russia persisted in its bombardment, raising doubts about Putin’s willingness to honor U.S.-brokered peace proposals and prompting questions over whether Trump, now just under 100 days into his presidency, has been out maneuvered3. As Trump approaches the 100-day milestone on April 30, 2025, he faces mounting pressure to reassess his strategy and considers a range of diplomatic and economic tools to compel Russia toward a genuine ceasefire.

Background: Early Peace Push

Upon taking office on January 20, 2025, Trump pledged to end the conflict in Ukraine “within 24 hours” and appointed real estate associate Steve Witkoff as his envoy to shuttle between Kyiv and Moscow4. Within days, Trump warned that he would impose high levels of taxes, tariffs, and sanctions on Russian exports if Putin failed to negotiate4. By mid-March, he celebrated “very productive discussions” with Putin and expressed optimism that the war could end soon, even as Ukrainian forces denied being encircled in Kursk5. This initial confidence, however, has been tested by Russia’s continued military offensives.

The April 24 Rebuke

In the early hours of April 24, a coordinated missile and drone barrage struck Kyiv, killing civilians and damaging critical infrastructure3. In response, Trump broke with his usual deference, posting on Truth Social:

“Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying.”1

He lamented the stalled peace process and emphasized the human cost of continued hostilities, underscoring that Ukraine had accepted a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal weeks earlier23.

Putin’s Response: Continued Aggression

Putin’s regime has offered no substantive change of course. Russian forces have maintained relentless pressure on Ukrainian cities, intercepting some missiles but pressing forward with drone swarms and ballistic strikes3. Kremlin statements reiterate that any ceasefire must address Russia’s security concerns first, effectively sidestepping U.S. demands and prolonging the conflict6.

Has Trump Been Played?

Analysts warn that Putin has exploited Trump’s eagerness for a deal to extract political concessions without halting the war. Trump’s earlier assertion that the invasion “would never have happened” if he were president proved misplaced as Russia advanced its objectives. Putin even signaled readiness to negotiate while continuing battlefield operations—a classic stalling tactic78. Trump’s April 11 plea for Russia to “get moving” on peace likewise failed to curb the Kremlin’s aggression9.

Trump’s Options Now

Confronted with Putin’s intransigence, Trump could escalate economic pressure by activating sweeping sanctions already on the table10 and imposing punitive tariffs on Russian oil purchasers11. He might also deepen coordination with NATO and EU partners to diplomatically isolate Moscow and bolster Ukraine’s defense through additional military aid. However, these measures risk alienating allies wary of unilateral U.S. moves and could further entrench Russian resistance12.

Conclusion

Trump’s unprecedented admonition to Putin highlights the complexities of brokering peace between two adversaries deeply entrenched in mutual distrust. With Putin continuing his campaign unabated, Trump must weigh the efficacy and consequences of escalating economic warfare versus renewed diplomatic engagement—choices that will define both his legacy and the future of European security.

Footnotes

  1. Axios. (2025, April 24). Trump to Putin: “Vladimir, STOP!” Axios. https://www.axios.com/2025/04/24/trump-putin-stop-attack-kiev ↩ ↩2
  2. The Associated Press. (2025, April 24). In rare criticism of Putin, Trump urges the Russian leader to ‘STOP!’ after a deadly attack on Kyiv. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/fb61625d2dee8b1917bb3522e73c2166 ↩ ↩2
  3. The Guardian. (2025, April 24). ‘Vladimir, stop!’ Trump criticises Putin over attack on Kyiv – Europe live. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2025/apr/24/russia-ukraine-war-kyiv-missile-attack-peace-talks-putin-zelenskyy-trump-latest-news-updates ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4
  4. Kemp, D. (2025, January 22). Trump tells Putin to make Ukraine deal ‘now’ or face tougher sanctions. The Moscow Times. https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/01/22/trump-tells-putin-to-make-ukraine-deal-now-or-face-tougher-sanctions-a87707 ↩ ↩2
  5. ABC News. (2025, March 14). Trump says ‘good chance’ Ukraine war can end after US-Putin talks. ABC News. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-15/trump-talks-with-putin/105055352 ↩
  6. Jackson, K., & Chiacu, D. (2025, April 23). Trump says Zelenskiy comments harming peace talks with Russia. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/trump-says-zelenskiy-comments-harming-peace-talks-with-russia-2025-04-23 ↩
  7. Newsweek. (2025). Putin says war in Ukraine might not have happened had Trump been president. Newsweek. https://www.newsweek.com/putin-war-russia-ukraine-trump-president-2020490 ↩
  8. Al Jazeera. (2025, April 21). Trump risks leaving behind a legacy of failure in Ukraine. Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2025/4/21/trump-risks-leaving-behind-a-legacy-of-failure-in-ukraine ↩
  9. Kyiv Independent. (2025, April 11). Trump urges Russia ‘to get moving’ to end war against Ukraine. Kyiv Independent. https://kyivindependent.com/trump-urges-russia-to-get-moving/ ↩
  10. Reuters. (2025, March 7). Trump threatens Russia with sanctions until Ukraine peace reached. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/trump-threatens-russia-with-sanctions-until-ukraine-peace-agreed-2025-03-07 ↩
  11. Reuters. (2025, March 30). ‘Pissed off’ at Putin, Trump threatens tariffs on Russian oil if unable make deal on Ukraine. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/trump-threatens-secondary-tariffs-russian-oil-if-unable-make-deal-ukraine-2025-03-30 ↩
  12. Politico. (2025, April 24). Trump demands peace. Putin bombs Kyiv. Politico. https://www.politico.com/newsletters/playbook/2025/04/24/trump-demands-peace-putin-bombs-kyiv-00307238 ↩

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