Russia cites "emotional overload" after Trump calls Putin crazy
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A pool photograph distributed by Russian state agency Sputnik of Russia's President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on May 24. Photo: Alexander Kazakov/Pool/AFP via Getty Images
The Kremlin dismissed President Trump's criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin as "emotional overload" on Monday.
Why it matters: Trump called Putin "crazy" on Sunday after Russia launched a record-setting drone and missile attack on Ukraine over the weekend as efforts continue to broker a ceasefire.
- "I've always had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin of Russia, but something has happened to him," Trump wrote on Truth Social on Sunday.
- "He has gone absolutely CRAZY! He is 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," the message continued.
What they're saying: "We are really grateful to the Americans and to President Trump personally for their assistance in organizing and launching this negotiation process," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said when asked about Trump's remarks, per Reuters.
- "This is a very crucial moment, which is associated, of course, with the emotional overload of everyone absolutely and with emotional reactions."
Context: Russia overnight launched the biggest drone attack on Ukraine in the three-year war, AP reported.
- Sunday night's bombardment included 355 drones. The previous night, Russia fired 298 drones and 69 missiles.
- The attack comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky traveled to Turkey this month to engage with Putin directly in peace talks after the Russian president called for the meeting.
- Putin ultimately did not attend, instead sending proxies for the talks.
Zoom in: While Trump had harsh words for Putin on Sunday, he also criticized Zelensky in another sign the president's patience is wearing thin with the two leaders and the ongoing war.
- "Everything out of his mouth causes problems, I don't like it, and it better stop," Trump said of the Ukrainian president.
Yes, but: European leaders were surprised last week at Trump's deference to Putin during a call days after the first round of talks were held in Turkey.
- They hoped to hear that Putin had agreed to a ceasefire or that the U.S. would impose penalties on him for refusing to do so, Axios' Barak Ravid and Dave Lawler previously reported.
- Instead, Trump told them Putin had agreed to negotiate, pushed back on imposing sanctions on Russia and said the U.S. would no longer be involved in any ceasefire negotiations, sources said.
Go deeper: Trump shows unusual patience as Putin stalls on Ukraine
Editor's note: This story has been corrected to change the attribution of a quote from President Trump ("Everything out of his mouth causes problems, I don't like it, and it better stop."). He was speaking about Zelensky, not Putin.
