As Russia Escalates Attacks on Ukraine, Zelenskyy Calls for Increased Sanctions

Russia launched a major drone attack on Ukraine overnight into Monday, the largest since Moscow's full-scale invasion that began in 2022, according to a Monday social media post from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy—who called for the escalation to be met with sanctions.

The attack was the third consecutive night of drone strikes against Ukraine, according to Zelenskyy. "Increase in Russian strikes should be met with increased sanctions," he said. "Only a sense of total impunity can allow Russia to carry out such strikes and continue increasing their scale. There is no real military logic to this, but there is significant political meaning." Zelenskyy also denounced Russia for rejecting a 30-day cease-fire proposed earlier this month.

Sunday night into Monday, Russia fired 355 Shahed drones, a record, as well as nine cruise missiles, according to The Guardian. Russia's Defense Ministry reportedly said Monday it had shot down over 100 Ukrainian drones overnight that were flying over southern and western Russia.

U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to put new sanctions on Russia, but so far hasn't followed through on the threat.

On Sunday, Andrii Sybiha, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine wrote that "Russia launched hundreds of drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles into Ukrainian cities and communities during the night, injuring and killing people, including at least three children."

Meanwhile, Trump in Sunday evening post on social media appeared to distance himself from the conflict, calling it not his war, while also writing that Russian President Vladimir Putin "has gone absolutely CRAZY!"

"He is needlessly killing a lot of people, and I'm not just talking about soldiers. Missiles and drones are being shot into Cities in Ukraine, for no reason whatsoever. I've always said that he wants ALL of Ukraine, not just a piece of it, and maybe that's proving to be right, but if he does, it will lead to the downfall of Russia! Likewise, President Zelenskyy is doing his Country no favors by talking the way he does," Trump wrote.

According to Bloomberg, Trump told reporters in New Jersey on Sunday that he is "absolutely" mulling new sanctions against Russia following the latest drone attacks. However, The New York Times reported Sunday that the Trump did not indicate to reporters that he's willing to provide Kiev with military aid, and also declined to respond to questions about whether the latest attacks will prompt a policy change from the Trump administration.

While aid that was approved under former U.S. President Joe Biden is still flowing to Ukraine, the Trump administration has not sought any new drawdowns or new funding, according to The Washington Post.

Earlier this month, under pressure from the U.S. and European governments, delegates from Ukraine and Russia met in Istanbul, Turkey for cease-fire talks.

The talks did not result in a truce, but the two sides did agree to swap civil detainees and prisoners of war, according to The Associated Press.