Russia launched a new wave of drone attacks on Ukraine, escalating tensions just days after U.S. President Donald Trump held separate phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. According to Ukrainian officials, over 100 drones were deployed overnight, with 93 intercepted by Ukraine’s Air Force across four regions. The assault followed a record-breaking 273-drone barrage earlier in the week, which resulted in civilian casualties in Kyiv.

In response to the intensifying violence, the European Union and the United Kingdom jointly announced a fresh round of sanctions targeting Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” used to bypass existing restrictions and smuggle oil and military supplies. Notably, these sanctions were implemented without coordination from the United States, signaling a more assertive stance from European allies.

While President Trump expressed optimism following his calls with Putin and Zelenskyy, saying ceasefire talks would begin "immediately," no timeline or location has been made public. Some analysts remain skeptical about the feasibility of such negotiations, citing past delays and shifting geopolitical interests.

Meanwhile, European leaders are pushing forward. The EU is finalizing a new sanctions package focusing on the Russian aluminum sector and tightening restrictions on oil exports. These efforts highlight growing impatience among Western allies as diplomatic solutions remain elusive.

The renewed drone strikes and increased sanctions underline the fragile and volatile state of the Russia-Ukraine war, with both military and diplomatic developments unfolding rapidly.