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Any attempt to take all Ukraine will be Russia's 'downfall' — Trump

US President Donald Trump has warned that if Russian President Vladimir Putin attempts to conquer all of Ukraine it would lead to the "downfall" of Russia.

"I’ve always had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin of Russia, but something has happened to him. He has gone absolutely CRAZY!" Trump wrote in a social media post.

"He is needlessly killing a lot of people, and I’m not just talking about soldiers."

'I don't like it at all': Trump gives Putin massive spray over Ukraine offensive — watch on TVNZ+

"Missiles and drones are being shot into Cities in Ukraine, for no reason whatsoever. I’ve always said that he wants ALL of Ukraine, not just a piece of it, and maybe that’s proving to be right, but if he does, it will lead to the downfall of Russia!"

Trump also criticised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, saying he was "doing his country no favours by talking the way he does".

"Everything out of his mouth causes problems, I don’t like it, and it better stop."

Speaking to reporters before he boarded Air Force One earlier in the day, Trump said he was "not happy" with Russia's attacks on Ukraine.

"He's killing a lot of people. And I don't know what the hell happened to Putin. I've known him a long time. Always gotten along with him.

"But he's sending rockets into cities and killing people, and I don't like it at all. Okay? We're in the middle of talking, and he's shooting rockets into Kyiv and other cities. I don't like it at all."

The Ukrainian capital Kyiv came under a massive Russian drone and missile attack that has killed at least 12 and injured dozens.

Ukrainian officials described it as the largest aerial assault since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Asked what he intended to do about the renewed Russian assault, Trump said: "We’ll see what we’re going to do. What, am I going to tell you? You’re the fake news, aren’t you? You’re totally fake."

He also said he was "absolutely" considering putting more sanctions on Russia.

"He’s killing a lot of people. What the hell happened to him?"

During his presidential campaign, Trump repeatedly claimed he would end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours, even before his inauguration.

US tensions easing with EU?

The US president also confirmed he had agreed to postpone the implementation of 50% tariffs on imports from the European Union after a call from its president Ursula von der Leyen.

In a social media post on Friday, Trump threatened the 50% tariff on EU goods, complained that the 27-member bloc had been "very difficult to deal with" on trade and negotiations were "going nowhere". Those tariffs would have kicked in starting June 1.

However, the call with von der Leyen has appeared to smooth over tensions, at least for now.

"I agreed to the extension — July 9, 2025 — it was my privilege to do so," Trump said on Truth Social shortly after he spoke with reporters on Sunday evening.

Von der Leyen said the EU and the US shared "the world’s most consequential and close trade relationship".

"Europe is ready to advance talks swiftly and decisively," she said.

"To reach a good deal, we would need the time until July 9."

— additional reporting from The Associated Press.

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