On Sunday night, President Donald Trump stated that the United States should prioritize stopping violent illegal immigrants from entering the country and “spend less time worrying about” Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trump made the remark on Truth Social two days after his heated meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Since the tense Oval Office exchange, Trump has faced criticism from Democrats and some Republicans over his handling of Zelensky.

His critics argue that Friday’s meeting ultimately benefited Putin, accusing Trump of favoring Russia over Ukraine in peace negotiations, particularly after administration officials held talks with Russian representatives in Saudi Arabia last month.

“We should spend less time worrying about Putin, and more time worrying about migrant rape gangs, drug lords, murderers, and people from mental institutions entering our Country – So that we don’t end up like Europe!” Trump wrote.

On Monday morning, the president criticized Democrats for their outrage regarding the administration’s approach to Ukraine-Russia negotiations.

“The only President who gave none of Ukraine’s land to Putin’s Russia is President Donald J. Trump,” he said. “Remember that when the weak and ineffective Democrat’s [sic] criticize, and the Fake News gladly puts out anything they say!”

Trump has been pushing for a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine as the war surpasses its three-year mark. His meeting with Zelensky on Friday was intended to advance negotiations toward ending the conflict while also finalizing a minerals agreement between the United States and Ukraine.

However, after 40 minutes of discussion in the Oval Office, tensions escalated when Zelensky criticized the U.S. for not doing more to support Ukraine since 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea.

Trump and Vice President JD Vance reprimanded Zelensky, accusing him of taking American military aid for granted. The meeting quickly devolved into a heated exchange broadcast on national television, and Zelensky was ultimately asked to leave the White House without signing the minerals deal.

Trump later stated that Zelensky would be welcome to return “when he is ready for peace.”