Donald Trump sends incredible direct message to Putin – 'Vladimir, STOP'

Donald Trump has sent Vladimir Putin a message begging him to "STOP" launching missiles on following a horror overnight attack on Kyiv.

Taking to Truth Social, the social media platform he part owns, following the latest deadly Russian raid on the Ukrainian capital, the President pleaded with his Russian campaign to stop bombing the country and bid for peace instead. The attack, which killed nine people and injured dozens more, has left hopes for peace between and Ukraine in tatters days after Mr Trump gave what his administration said was a final opportunity to accept a deal on US terms.

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World leaders rushed to condemn the violence after reports documenting the death and destruction emerged, with Ukrainian President declaring a "murderous" strike ordered by Putin.

Mr Trump, on the other hand, waited several hours more than most of his counterparts to post a capital letter-laden response on social media in a last-ditch bid to have the Russian despot take up the deal touted by his administration, calling the attack "bad timing".

He wrote: "I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Lets get the Peace Deal DONE!"

The pleading message comes as the Kremlin is yet to offer a formal response to the President's deal, which would see Ukraine hand over massive swathes of Russian occupied land - including Crimea - in exchange for European-backed defence guarantees and a western-backed rebuilding plan.

Mr Zelensky has been the only leader to publicly comment on the offer, declining it on the basis that Ukraine could not relinquish Crimea, which has historically been a part of the nation since it broke from the Soviet Union in the 20th century.

Mr Trump has slammed the stance as one that prolonged the peace process while suggesting the US head a "deal" with Russia - although this was before Wednesday's attack.

He had told reporters on Tuesday: "I think we have a deal with Russia. We have to get a deal with Zelensky. I thought it might be easier to deal with Zelensky. So far it's been harder."

Russia's attack, which it claimed was directed at defence and military infrastructure and was "successful", has left phones ringing under the rubble and children in hospital, with a pregnant woman among the dead after a barrage of missiles hit a residential complex in the centre of Kyiv.

In a post following the attack in which he cut short a trip to South Africa, the Ukrainian President said 44 days have passed since Kyiv agreed to a complete ceasefire, but that Russia "continues to kill people and avoid tough pressure and accountability for this".

He wrote in a post on Telegram: "It is very important that everyone in the sees and understands what is really happening."