Donald Trump’s statement that he is ready to move on to the “second phase” of sanctions against Russia marks a shift in the policy of the US president, as he has yet to avoid stricter measures, investing in the personal relationship he – as he argued – maintains a rationale for him.

This strategy, however, seems not to attribute, with Trump repeatedly expressing his dissatisfaction with Moscow’s reluctance to come to the negotiating table.

On the contrary, Putin not only did not respond to the deadlines that Trump had set, but escalated the attacks, culminating in the last blow to Kiev, during which a government building was hit.

“Are you ready to go through the second phase of sanctions against Russia?” He asked a journalist for the US president as he left the White House to watch the US Open in New York.

“Yes, I am,” Donald Trump replied.

Donald Trump has repeatedly attacked Vladimir Putin – even a few days ago, when he appeared along with other leaders in China – but not proceeding with substantive measures while Russia is intensifying its bombings against Ukraine.

Although he has imposed “secondary penalties” on India and other countries dealing with Russia, his threats to directly punish Moscow have not been implemented, with the deadlines he had set to go without results.

On Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski emphasized the importance of intensifying pressure in Moscow but also “in all countries that have trade relations with Russia”. “The Russian economy is being pressured and the same applies to the countries that deal with it, and we will continue in this way,” he said, adding that “secondary sanctions and special trade duties” can contribute.

Donald Trump’s turn to a tougher line against Russia was essentially announced by US Finance Minister Scott Besed. Speaking on Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press” show, Bessed stressed that the White House is “ready to increase pressure on Russia”, noting that coordinated US and EU moves can lead to a complete collapse of the Russian economy.

“We need our European partners to follow us, because if the US and the EU move together. “Now we are in a road race between how much can the Ukrainian army afford and how long can the Russian economy afford? If the US and the EU impose more sanctions, more duties in countries buying Russian oil, then the Russian economy will be in full collapse and this will bring President Putin to the negotiating table, “he said.

He revealed that along with Trump and Vice President JD Vans, they had a “very productive conversation” on Friday with European Commission President Ursula von der Laien.

The greatest attack

Russia launched on Saturday night the largest air attack on the war, launching over 800 drones and hitting a government building in Kiev for the first time. The attacks killed five people, including an infant, and many homes were damaged in the capital.

The Ukrainian Air Force has announced that Russia has launched 805 Iranian drones shahad across the country, as part of an incessant attack that continues despite Trump’s efforts to mediate in peace talks. Prior to Sunday’s attack, the largest had occurred on July 9, when Russia had launched 728 drones.

Russia also fired 13 Cruise and ballistic missiles, according to the Ukrainian Air Force, which said nine missiles and nearly 60 drones escaped air defense and hit targets.

“Once again, the Kremlin is diplomacy, violates international law and kills indiscriminately,” European Commission President Ursula von der Laeen wrote on social networks, as European officials issued almost coordinated announcements.

The Kiev government district is at the center of anti -aircraft defense. But at dawn on Sunday, flames sprouted from the windows of the building where the cabinet met, with firefighters recruiting helicopters to extinguish the fire.

“Such murders, as real diplomacy could have begun for a long time, are deliberate crime and extension of the war,” Mr Zelenski said in a post, recalling that “in Washington it has been repeatedly said that there will be a ratification.”

Prime Minister Julia Svirindenko, whose offices are located in the cabinet building, later posted photos from the inside, showing a tanned corridor, broken doors and cables hanging.

And other cities in the country, including Rich Rich, Dnipro, Cremensuk and Odessa, were attacked. One person was killed and 17 were injured in Zaporizia, and deaths were also reported in the Sumi and Chernihiv regions, according to local authorities. Kyiv Rich, an industrial city in the South-Central Ukraine, and Odessa, a port in the Black Sea, suffered damage. In Cremensuk, a drone hit a bridge over the river Dnipero, interrupting traffic.

Sunday’s attack took place three days after European leaders, including British Prime Minister Kir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Mertz and French President Emmanuel Macro, met to propose a framework for security guarantees for Ukraine or Ukraine.