Trump Urges Putin to Halt Kyiv Missile, Drone Strikes

Former U.S. President Donald Trump publicly urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt Russia's deadliest missile and drone assault on Kyiv in nearly a year, which killed eight to nine people and wounded over seventy. Trump condemned the strikes as unnecessary and poorly timed, and called for renewed efforts toward a peace deal, citing the ongoing loss of about 5,000 soldiers weekly. The escalation followed Trump's criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for statements about Crimea, which Trump suggested were an obstacle to peace talks. Trump also acknowledged that reaching a negotiated settlement is becoming increasingly difficult for both sides. The Kremlin claimed that its strikes targeted military-related sites, while Ukrainian officials highlighted the ongoing suffering of civilians. The attacks have intensified concerns about the humanitarian crisis and the challenges facing diplomatic efforts in the Ukraine conflict.