US President Donald Trump has said that Russian President Vladimir Putin is “playing on fire” and that Russia has been protected from “really bad things.”
Moscow security officials blamed President Donald Trump on the US president, causing another World War I risk after President Trump said Russian leader Vladimir Putin “played with fire” by refusing to engage in Ukrainian ceasefire talks with Kiev.
Dmitry Medvedev said on Tuesday that World War II was the only “really bad” in the reaction to Trump, who posted a message to Putin on social media saying “what really bad would have already happened in Russia” without his intervention.
“What Vladimir Putin doesn’t realize is that if it wasn’t for me, there would already be a lot of really bad things going on in Russia. I mean really bad. He’s playing with fire.”
Medvedev replied on Platform X: “Trump’s words about Putin’s “playing on fire” and “really bad things” are happening in Russia. I know it’s really bad – World War II. ”
“I hope Trump understands this!”
About Putin’s Trump’s words about “playing with fire” and the “really bad things” happening in Russia. I know it’s really bad – World War II.
I hope Trump understands this!– Dmitry Medvedev (@medvedevrussiae) May 27, 2025
In response, US envoy Keith Kellogg quoted Medvedev’s post, saying it was reckless.
“To scream out the fear of World War II is a pity and reckless comment and is not worthy of the power of the world,” Kellogg wrote in X.
Currently, Vice-Chairman of Russia’s Security Council and a major Putin ally, Medvedev, served as President of Russia between 2008 and 2012, and is known for his wise comments.
He repeatedly warned that Moscow could use nuclear weapons through the war between Russia and Ukraine.
Putin also raised the possibility of a nuclear conflict in his national speech in March 2024, warning Western countries of Russia’s nuclear capabilities if they decide to deploy troops to support Ukraine.
“Everything that the West has come up with creates a real threat to the conflict between the use of nuclear weapons and the destruction of civilization,” Putin said at the time.
Medvedev’s President Trump also comes after the US president said in his post on Sunday that Putin “absolutely crazy” with a massive air attack on Ukraine despite widespread demands that ceasefire and Washington’s attempts to mediate a peace deal.
“I’ve always had a very good relationship with Russia’s Vladimir Putin, but something happened to him,” Trump posted on Sunday.
Trump also told reporters he is considering new sanctions against Russia amid the deadlock of ceasefire talks.
The war of words on social media has come as a hope for a quick end to Russia’s war against its neighbors. Kiev suffered another battlefield retreat on Tuesday, with Russian forces capturing four villages in the northeastern Sammy region of Ukraine.
Sumy Gognelover Oleh Hryhorov wrote on Facebook that the villages of Novenke, Basivka, Veselivka and Zhuravka were occupied by Russia, but the residents had been evacuated for a long time.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said it took away the nearby village of Bilobodi on Monday, suggesting further progress towards Ukrainian territory as more than three years of war was shattered.
Ukrainian officials have said for weeks that Russian troops are trying to invade the Smie area, as they are trying to invade major cities less than 30 km (19 miles) from the border with Russia.
Russian troops, attacked by small groups on motorcycles and supported by air drones, are expanding areas where they are attacking on the frontline, a spokesman for the Ukrainian Border Protection Agency said.
Last year, Ukrainian forces used the Smie region as launchpad to push it into the nearby Kursk region of Russia, gaining a vast area of territory before being kicked out by Russian forces last month.
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