Early on Thursday, Russia launched a devastating aerial attack on Kyiv, using over 30 ballistic and cruise missiles and almost 600 drones.
Officials say the deadly barrage killed at least 21 civilians, including four children, and injured numerous others in all ten districts of the Ukrainian capital.
The EU and the UK called in Russia's ambassadors to protest the damage to buildings of great diplomatic and symbolic importance, such as the British Council offices and the European Union delegation.
As a clear indication that Russia is not interested in peace, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denounced the attack. He said in his nightly address,
"Russia is now striking at everyone in the world who wants peace,”
He urged allies to impose more severe sanctions. In response to the increase in violence, the UN Security Council has called an emergency meeting.
The Trump administration's response in Washington was subdued.
"He was not happy about this news, but he was also not surprised,"
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, referring to the protracted nature of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. She went on to say that even though President Trump "wants it to end," a resolution cannot be reached unless both parties sincerely want peace.
Trump has traditionally adopted a more measured stance, frequently stressing neutrality, while European leaders condemned the attack as a sabotage of peace efforts.
For example, claims that he framed the situation as a result of both sides' hostilities, mentioning Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries.
Read More: Russia strikes Kyiv in deadliest air assault, killing 14 children
The deadly attack on Kyiv is the biggest to hit the capital in weeks and is a serious setback to diplomatic efforts to defuse the situation.
The international community's response and whether it can resurrect waning peace efforts, remains gravely uncertain as the devastation grows and civilian lives are at stake.
In a video by The Economic Times, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said:
