U.S. President Donald Trump appeared to make excuses for Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin after a ballistic missile attack killed 34 people in Ukraine on Palm Sunday. 

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, April 13, Trump said, “I think it was terrible. And I was told they made a mistake. But I think it’s a horrible thing. I think the whole war is a horrible thing.” 

Two ballistic missiles hit the Sumy area of Ukraine around 10:15 a.m. local time on April 13 as residents prepared to go to church to mark Palm Sunday.

Donald Trump defended Vladimir Putin after a Russian attack on Sumy killed over 30 civilians Sunday

Image credits: Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP

Palm Sunday is deeply rooted in Ukrainian culture and tradition. With over 80% of Ukrainians identifying as Christian, many had been gathering to mark the beginning of Holy Week.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said 34 people, including two children, were killed in the attack. 

A further 119 people were injured, with 38 receiving medical treatment, Zelenskyy said on X.

It is the second Russian attack on a Ukrainian city this month. On April 2, 19 people, including nine children, were killed in Kryvyi Rih after a Russian strike. 

Image credits: The Independent

In an April 14 post on Truth Social, Trump claimed former president Joe Biden and Zelenskyy “allowed” the war to begin in the first place. 

“The War between Russia and Ukraine is Biden’s war, not mine,” he wrote. “I just got here, and for four years during my term, had no problem in preventing it from happening.”

He continued the post by repeating claims that the 2020 election was rigged. 

“President Zelenskyy and Crooked Joe Biden did an absolutely horrible job in allowing this travesty to begin,” Trump added.

Image credits: The Independent

The latest attack comes after Trump reiterated his assertion that the Russia-Ukraine war would never have started under his leadership when speaking to reporters on Air Force One on Sunday. 

“For that war to have started is an abuse of power,” he said. “This country would never have allowed that war to have started if I were president.

“That war is a shame. Millions of people are dead that should be alive. Cities are being destroyed all over Ukraine, the whole culture is gone, well it’s certainly very severely hurt.”

Trump posted on Truth Social on Monday, saying he had “nothing to do with this war” before his inauguration

Image credits: Donald J. Trump

Trump repeatedly promised to end the Russia-Ukraine war in 24 hours when he was campaigning to be elected. 

In March, he backtracked on his pledge, saying he was “being a little bit sarcastic” about ending the war in a day.  

“What I really mean is I’d like to get it settled and, I’ll, I think, I think I’ll be successful,” he added.

On March 18, Russia agreed to stop attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure for one month, but refused to accept a 30-day ceasefire proposed by the U.S. and Ukraine. 

It came after U.S. negotiators held talks with their Ukrainian counterparts in Saudi Arabia, aimed at negotiating a ceasefire and eventually peace. 

At least 164 civilians were killed in March, while 910 were injured

Image credits: Chris McGrath/Getty Images

Since the energy target ceasefire was agreed, both Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of breaking it. 

Last week, the UN released data showing that civilian deaths have increased since the U.S. mediated talks for a ceasefire began at the end of February. 

At least 164 civilians were killed in March and 910 were injured. This is a 50% increase from February of this year and a 71% increase from March 2024. 

Image credits: Klitschko

European leaders condemned the latest Russian strike and called for an immediate ceasefire.

French President Emmanuel Macron posted on X: “Everyone knows: this war was initiated by Russia alone. And today, it is clear that Russia alone chooses to continue it — with blatant disregard for human lives, international law, and the diplomatic efforts of President Trump.” 

“Strong measures are needed to impose a ceasefire on Russia. France is working tirelessly toward this goal, alongside its partners,” he added

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer also called for a full and immediate ceasefire. 

Image credits: Gerashchenko_en

“I’m appalled at Russia’s horrific attacks on civilians in Sumy and my thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones at this tragic time  President Zelenskyy has shown his commitment to peace. Putin must now agree to a full and immediate ceasefire without conditions,” the Labour Party leader said.

Friedrich Merz, leader of Germany’s Christian Democratic Union, told the German public broadcaster ARD that the strike was a “deliberate and calculated war crime.”

Trump’s comments on the Russia-Ukraine war come amid his latest U-turn on global tariffs.

Days after announcing a 90-day pause on additional trade tariffs for most countries except China, he posted on Truth Social that no one “was off the hook” and there was “no exception” announced.