Key Points – Following Russia’s capture of four villages in Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy region this week, US President Donald Trump issued a second public rebuke to Vladimir Putin in three days, warning on Truth Social (Tuesday, May 27th) that the Russian leader is “playing with fire” and that worse things could have already happened to Russia if not for him.
-This came after Russia’s recent massive aerial assaults. In response, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev retorted with a veiled threat of “World War III.”
-Amidst these escalating words, peace talks remain stalled, with a US sanctions package against Russia reportedly awaiting Trump’s approval.
Trump Says Putin Is ‘Playing With Fire’ As Russia Makes Gains in Ukraine
As Russian forces seize four more villages in Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy region, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a blunt warning to Vladimir Putin, declaring the Russian leader was “playing with fire” by refusing to engage in serious ceasefire talks. The comments mark Trump’s second public rebuke of Putin in just three days.
“What Vladimir Putin doesn’t realize is that if it weren’t for me, lots of really bad things would have already happened in Russia,” Trump posted on Truth Social on Tuesday. “He’s playing with fire.”
Trump says Putin “Playing with Fire”
Trump failed to explain what those “really bad things” could be, but his tone was clear: one of mounting rage toward Russia’s escalation, especially its recent string of aerial assaults – among the deadliest since the full-scale war began in 2022.
Naturally, Putin’s colleagues brushed off Washington’s anger. Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of Russia’s Security Council, retorted that “the only REALLY BAD thing” would be World War III, a veiled reminder of the stakes involved. He added pointedly, “I hope Trump understands this.”
Russia Takes Strategic Villages
Ukrainian officials said this week that Russian troops had successfully taken the Novenke, Basivka, Veselivka, and Zhuravka villages in the Sumy region, close to the Russian border. The region’s governor stressed that civilians had already been evacuated from these areas, but that it was a strategically significant gain for Moscow. Last year, Ukraine briefly seized elements of Russia’s neighboring Kursk region from this northern front.
These latest advances appear to support Putin’s earlier calls for a “security buffer zone” along Russia’s western frontier. This policy is now being realized in real time, at Ukraine’s expense.
Trump has yet to implement fresh sanctions or majorly escalate military aid. However, officials have told press that a sanctions package is in the works, and reportedly needs Trump’s sign-off.
Kremlin’s Full Demands Still Unknown
The timing of Trump’s rhetorical shift is significant. It follows news that Putin, after a two-hour call with Trump last week, expressed willingness to draft a memorandum outlining a potential peace accord. But the Kremlin’s vague timelines and Ukraine’s accusations of deliberate stalling raise doubts about Moscow’s sincerity.
For Kyiv, the threat of new offensives looms large. Zelenskyy warned Monday that Russia is preparing fresh attacks not just on Sumy, but also in the northeastern Kharkiv and southeastern Zaporizhzhia regions. Russian forces, he said, are “counting on further war.”
Trump’s remarks, while dramatic, are still just words. Whether they translate into decisive action remains to be seen.
In the meantime, Ukraine faces mounting pressure on multiple fronts, with little sign that Moscow is ready to pause, let alone retreat.
About the Author:
Georgia Gilholy is a journalist based in the United Kingdom who has been published in Newsweek, The Times of Israel, and the Spectator. Gilholy writes about international politics, culture, and education.
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