United States President Donald Trump sharply criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday following Moscow’s announcement of a successful test of a nuclear-powered cruise missile. Speaking to journalists aboard Air Force One, Trump said Putin’s priorities were misplaced, emphasizing that Russia should instead work to end the ongoing war in Ukraine.
“He ought to get the war [in Ukraine] ended. A war that should have taken one week is now soon in its fourth year. That’s what he ought to do instead of testing missiles,” Trump said.
Earlier, President Putin claimed that the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile had been successfully tested, describing it as a weapon that has “no equal in the world.” The missile, often referred to by NATO as the SSC-X-9 Skyfall, is believed to have virtually unlimited range, powered by a small nuclear reactor.
Trump’s remarks come amid renewed tensions between Washington and Moscow, as both nations navigate a fragile global security environment influenced by the Ukraine conflict, energy trade restrictions, and arms control challenges.
While Putin hailed the missile’s capabilities as a demonstration of Russia’s military prowess, Trump dismissed the move as provocative and unnecessary, reiterating that the Kremlin should prioritize diplomacy over escalation.
The comments mark one of Trump’s strongest public criticisms of Putin since returning to office, signaling a firmer stance on Russia’s military activities and the prolonged conflict in Eastern Europe.
