Trump Calls Russian Attack On Ukrainian City Of Sumy 'terrible': 'they Made A Mistake'

President Trump late Sunday called a Russian missile strike on a Ukrainian city that left dozens dead a "horrible thing" and said he had been told Russia "made a mistake."

"I think it was terrible. And I was told they made a mistake. But I think it’s a horrible thing," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One.

Asked what he meant when he said it was a "mistake," Trump demurred and blamed former President Biden for allowing the war between Russia and Ukraine to start.

“They made a mistake. I believe it was — look, you’re gonna ask them," Trump said. "This is Biden’s war. This is not my war. This is a war that was under Biden. … I’m just trying to get it stopped so that we can save a lot of lives."

Trump lamented that historic architecture in Ukraine had been destroyed, in addition to the loss of life.

"That war is a shame. Millions of people are dead that should be alive. Cities are being destroyed all over Ukraine," Trump said. "The whole culture is gone. It's very certainly very severely hurt."

Two missiles hit the Ukrainian city of Sumy on Sunday amid Palm Sunday celebrations, killing at least 34 people and injuring more than 100, according to multiple reports. The civilian casualties came as the U.S. has pushed for a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.

Keith Kellogg, President Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine, said Russia’s attack "crosses any line of decency."

Trump has for months been pressing for a ceasefire in Ukraine, where fighting has been underway since Russian forces invaded in February 2022 after amassing troops near the border.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he accepted the terms of a ceasefire laid out by Trump administration officials, putting the ball in Russia’s court. 

Trump's envoy for Middle East affairs Steve Witkoff, who has been central to negotiations for a ceasefire, met in recent days with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trump himself has previously expressed frustration with Zelensky and Ukraine, though he has shown signs he is growing exasperated with Russia in recent days.