Trump says Putin “playing with fire”

US President Donald Trump warned Vladimir Putin Tuesday that he was "playing with fire," in a fresh jab at his Russian counterpart as he weighs new sanctions against Moscow over the war in Ukraine.

Trump's latest broadside showed his frustration with stalled peace talks, and comes two days after he called the Kremlin leader "absolutely CRAZY" following a record Russian drone attack on Ukraine.

"What Vladimir Putin doesn't realize is that if it weren't for me, lots of really bad things would have already happened to Russia, and I mean REALLY BAD. He's playing with fire!" Trump said on his Truth Social network.

Trump did not specify what the "really bad" things were, or make any specific threats. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment by AFP.

But the Wall Street Journal and CNN both reported that Trump was now considering fresh sanctions against Russia as early as this week, while stressing that he could still change his mind.

He told reporters on Sunday he was "absolutely" considering increasing sanctions on Moscow.

His predecessor Joe Biden imposed sweeping sanctions after the events of 2022, but Trump has so far avoided what he says could be "devastating" sanctions on Russian banks.

Trump's recent rebukes mark a major change from his previous attitude towards Putin, whom he often speaks of with admiration and has previously held off criticizing.

The Republican tycoon promised during the 2024 election campaign to end the Ukraine war within 24 hours and said his friendship with Putin from his first term would help seal a deal.

Trump has however expressed increasing frustration with Moscow's position in deadlocked truce negotiations with Kyiv.