U.S. President Donald Trump has called the recent deadly Russian missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Sumy a “terrible mistake,” while reiterating that the ongoing war is a result of “Biden’s weakness,” not the actions of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The comments came during a press briefing aboard Air Force One on April 13, 2025, as Trump returned to Washington following a campaign event. The missile attack on Sumy earlier that day killed 34 civilians, including two children, and injured at least 117 others, marking the deadliest strike on Ukrainian civilians so far this year.
“I think it’s a terrible thing. The whole war is a terrible thing,” Trump told reporters, as quoted by MSN. “Starting this war was an abuse of power. It’s a disgrace.”
When asked by CNN to clarify his reference to a “mistake,” Trump said: “They made a mistake. That’s what I believe. Ask them.” He did not elaborate further or directly attribute the strike to any specific Russian command decision.
Trump, who has frequently argued that the war in Ukraine would not have occurred under his administration, doubled down on that claim.
“This is Biden’s war. I’m just trying to stop it and save lives,” he said, echoing a position he has repeated at rallies and during televised interviews. The statement aligns with the narrative Trump has promoted throughout his 2024 campaign: that President Joe Biden’s foreign policy failures emboldened adversaries like Russia.
Notably, Trump refrained from directly criticizing Russian President Vladimir Putin, instead placing the burden of responsibility squarely on Biden’s shoulders.
Trump was also asked about his longtime associate, real estate developer Steve Witkoff, who reportedly met recently with Russian officials, including Vladimir Putin.
“It went well,” Trump said simply, offering no further detail about the purpose or outcome of the meeting.
The nature of the visit and whether it had any political or diplomatic implications remains unclear. The White House has not officially commented on the meeting.
Deadly Strike in Sumy Sparks Global Outrage
The missile strike in Sumy, which occurred on Palm Sunday morning while many residents were en route to church, has drawn widespread international condemnation. Among the targets were residential buildings, public transit, and a university conference center. Ukrainian officials have stated that the missiles used were Iskander-M ballistic types, possibly carrying cluster munitions — a claim that remains under investigation.
World leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, condemned the attack and called for immediate ceasefire efforts. President Trump’s remarks, however, focused primarily on domestic politics and his criticism of the current U.S. administration.
Trump’s Comments Stir Mixed Reactions
Trump’s remarks have already sparked debate in Washington. Critics argue that his failure to directly condemn Putin or hold Russia accountable reflects a troubling ambiguity in his stance on the conflict.
Supporters, on the other hand, view his statements as part of a broader appeal to end the war quickly through negotiation — a platform that resonates with parts of the American electorate weary of foreign entanglements.
