Washington (TDI): United States President Donald Trump has vowed to push for significantly tougher sanctions on Russia following what Ukrainian officials are calling the heaviest air attack since the beginning of the war.
The barrage, which targeted a Ukrainian government building – the Cabinet of Ministers building, deployed more than 800 drones and missiles as well. Ukraine says four of its citizens were killed and 44 injured.
In response to Trump’s statements hinting tougher sanctions on Russia, Kremlin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday that no sanctions would ever be able to force Russia to change its position in the war.
On numerous occasions in the past, Trump has threatened sanctions on Russia but no concrete action has been taken so far.
When asked on Sunday if he was prepared to move to the “second phase” of punishing Moscow, Trump replied: “Yeah, I am,” but did not give any more details.
Read More: Putin Warns of Strikes on Western Soldiers in Ukraine
He also said some European leaders are coming to the US individually to discuss the Russia-Ukraine war. These will mark second-most important meeting between US and Europe after the White House meetings last month, where key European leaders met Trump together, along with Zelenskyy.
“Certain European leaders are coming over to our country on Monday or Tuesday individually,” Trump said, without specifying which leaders. He also signalled that he would speak with Putin in the next couple of days.
The attack on a major Ukranian government building comes as Trump and Europe are pushing for a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, that can bring the war, which is now in its third year, to an end.
A direct meeting between Russian President and Zelenskyy is also in the pipeline. However, a contention over the venue is making it difficult to happen. Putin wants to meet Zelenskyy in Moscow which the latter does not agree to.
Established in December 2008, The Diplomatic Insight is Pakistan’s premier diplomacy and foreign affairs magazine, available in both digital and print formats.
