Russia intensifies attacks on Ukraine despite promise of ceasefire after call between Putin and Trump
In the early hours of Wednesday morning, Ukraine reported what it said was the largest Russian drone attack since the start of the war, an episode that marked a new high point in the conflict, just hours before a phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump. The offensive resulted in a missile strike in the border region of Sumy, where at least six Ukrainian soldiers were killed and more than a dozen were wounded, according to the Ukrainian National Guard.
This episode is part of a broader escalation in the Sumy region, which has been repeatedly bombed since the start of the war. From there, Ukrainian forces launched an offensive towards the neighbouring Russian region of Kursk, with the stated aim of establishing a ‘buffer zone’ to protect Ukrainian territory. Although the operation was presented as a strategic success — forcing Moscow to divert key troops — some Ukrainian officers, such as battalion commander Oleksandr Shyrshyn, have publicly criticised the orders of the high command.
President Putin visited Kursk the day before the attack, in his first appearance in the region since Ukrainian troops were expelled. During his stay, he met with acting governor Alexander Khinshtein and local volunteers, and toured a nearby nuclear power plant, according to Russian state media.
The situation in the east remains critical. Ukrainian forces reported that Russia launched 14 attacks overnight on the towns of Druzhba, Petrivka and Toretsk.
Amid this escalation of the war, hopes for a ceasefire appear to be fading. Low-level talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegations were held in Istanbul last Friday, but little progress was made. Trump has suggested that the Vatican could serve as a mediator in an eventual peace process, although the Vatican itself has clarified that there are no concrete plans at this time.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he hoped for a formal proposal from Moscow with ‘general terms’ to begin a de-escalation process. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected that possibility, accusing Russia of simply ‘trying to buy time’ to continue its occupation.
EU announces new sanctions against Russia
In parallel with diplomatic efforts, the European Union has stepped up pressure on the Kremlin. During a meeting in Brussels on Tuesday, EU defence and foreign ministers approved the 17th package of sanctions against Russia. The new measures target Moscow's so-called ‘shadow fleet’, while foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas urged the United States to impose tougher consequences if Russia does not agree to an unconditional ceasefire.
Trump, for his part, said peace talks between Ukraine and Russia would begin ‘immediately’ after his two-hour call with Putin on Monday. However, the terms remain unclear. Moscow is demanding ‘concessions’ from Kiev, while Ukraine insists it will not accept any withdrawal of its troops from territories illegally occupied by Russia since 2022, when the large-scale invasion began.