President Zelenskyy is demanding a response from the international community following the severe Russian attacks on Ukraine. US President Trump expressed his openness to new sanctions, saying he is"not happy" with the entire situation.

Following the wave of Russian attacks against his country with a record number of drones on Sunday night, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is calling for a response from the international community. Russian President Vladimir Putin is testing the world and wants to see whether it will accept and come to terms with such attacks, Zelenskyy said.

Russia is trying to inflict pain on Ukraine and is carrying out increasingly bold attacks. This must be countered with sanctions against Russia, against individuals associated with Russia, and with severe tariffs and other trade restrictions on Russia, the Ukrainian leader said. Russia's losses"must be felt."

Trump ready for new sanctions

US President Donald Trump says he is ready for new sanctions against Moscow. When asked by a White House reporter whether he was ready to initiate the second phase of sanctions against Moscow, Trump replied,"Yes, I am" – nothing more. This left it unclear whether and when new sanctions would actually be imposed.

Trump also said he plans to speak with Putin"very soon," "in the next few days." He said he was "not happy" about the entire situation, given the ongoing fighting and loss of life. Regarding possible peace solutions, the US president reiterated:"We're going to get this done."

USA calls for support from Europeans

Trump's Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also commented on sanctions against Moscow. He told NBC News:"We are prepared to increase pressure on Russia, but we need the support of our European partners."

If the US and the EU intervene and impose further sanctions—that is, tariffs on countries that buy Russian oil—the Russian economy will collapse completely, Bessent said. This will bring Putin to the negotiating table.

Trump is said to have recently criticized the Europeans for their oil deals with Russia. In a phone call with European countries, the Republican demanded an end to the oil deals that Russia is using to finance the war, according to reports from the US news portal Axios and CNN, citing the White House. Trump also demanded that the Europeans put pressure on the Chinese government, which is backing Russia in the Ukraine war.

Meeting on possible sanctions in Washington

A meeting is planned in Washington today: Several European officials, led by EU sanctions chief David O'Sullivan, are visiting the US Treasury Department to discuss various forms of economic pressure on Russia – including new sanctions, as a spokesperson for the EU Commission confirmed to the news agency dpa. The EU is currently working on the 19th sanctions package against Russia.

Heaviest attacks since the beginning of the war

The Russian attacks on Sunday night were unprecedented: According to the Air Force in Kyiv, the attackers deployed more than 800 combat drones—more than ever since the invasion began more than three and a half years ago. Cruise missiles and rockets were also fired at Ukrainian targets.

For the first time, an attack also hit the main government building in the Ukrainian capital. According to authorities, a total of four people were killed and dozens injured.

The EU and Ukraine's allies reacted with outrage. They see the new attacks as evidence of Putin's unwillingness to negotiate.