Trump 'is seriously considering lifting all restrictions on how Ukraine can fight Russia' after declaring Putin 'absolutely crazy'
The U.S. president could go further than his predecessor in removing all restrictions imposed by the Biden administration, sources told the Kyiv Post on Monday.
Trump has sought to end the three year war in Ukraine by mediating peace talks and even exploring possible concessions to the invading force.
But with talks making little progress, and Russia still hammering Ukraine with successive drone strikes, one official said current restrictions are 'under review'.
'President [Trump] believes that the current status-quo does not serve our common interests of bringing Russia to the [negotiation] table,' the official told the outlet.
Despite making overtures to peace, Putin has expanded attacks on Ukraine in recent days, launching the heaviest drone strikes of the war on Kyiv over the weekend.
European leaders welcomed a subsequent shift in tone from Trump, who wrote on Sunday that Russian president Vladimir Putin 'has gone absolutely crazy'.
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday that Trump has finally realised that Putin was not looking for peace.
'President Trump realises that when President Putin said on the phone he was ready for peace, or told his envoys he was ready for peace, he lied,' Macron said.
Lifting all restrictions on how Ukraine fights Russia would bring the U.S. back more closely in alignment with Europe.
Germany's chancellor, Friedrich Merz, revealed on Monday that 'there are no longer any range restrictions on weapons delivered to Ukraine' from Britain, France and the U.S.
The previous German government had strongly supported Kyiv, but stopped short of sending it long-range Taurus missiles, fearing further escalation with Russia.
Merz clarified today that the decision was taken months ago.
'Ukraine can now also defend itself by attacking military positions in Russia,' Merz added on X.
'Until recently, it couldn't do that, and apart from very few exceptions, it hadn't done so either.'
Europe has sought greater alignment as Russian strikes against Ukraine continue to intensify despite ongoing peace talks.
Trump has, since he took office, broken from his European partners in accusing the Ukrainian side of not wanting peace - a suggestion sharply rebuked by Kyiv.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has pointed to several instances of Russia breaking ceasefires in recent months as evidence Putin is not looking to end the war.
European leaders this month urged Russia to agree to a 30 day initial ceasefire as a show of good faith, but Russia said it would not respond to pressure.
Putin then said there were issues which needed to be resolved before Russia could agree, effectively rejecting the proposal.
Trump was overtly critical of Putin on Sunday after Russia expanded its attacks on Ukraine.
He wrote: '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!'
The Kremlin was careful in its response, though took aim at Trump in a thinly veiled swipe at 'emotional reactions'.
'We are really grateful to the Americans and to President Trump personally for their assistance in organising and launching this negotiation process,' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said when asked about the Trump remarks about Putin.
'Of course, at the same time, this is a very crucial moment, which is associated, of course, with the emotional overload of everyone absolutely and with emotional reactions.'
The comments came after at least 13 people were killed and dozens injured in Ukraine overnight Saturday into Sunday as Russia fired 367 drones and missiles west.
It was the largest combined aerial attack since the full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Between Sunday and Monday, Russia launched another 355 drones and nine cruise missiles against Ukraine, per Kyiv's air force.
Ukraine said it was the largest drone-only attack of the war so far.
Russia argued the attacks were a response to Ukrainian attacks on 'social infrastructure'.
Trump has until now been more patient with Vladimir Putin than his predecessor over the war in Ukraine.
For months, his administration has vowed to end the war, offering U.S. mediating services while also refusing threatening wider use of sanctions.
But with progress stalled, and Moscow still targeting population centres in Ukraine, Trump's rhetoric has become more pointed towards Putin.
Macron said Monday he hoped Trump's anger at Moscow translated 'into action' as Europe hardened its own response to Russian aggression.
'We have seen once again in recent hours Donald Trump express his anger. A form of impatience. I simply hope now that this translates into action,' he said.
He suggested that Putin had tricked Trump by engaging in diplomatic talks surrounding a peace deal, even after meeting with his envoy Steve Witkoff on four different occasions.
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