Russia has been accused of dragging its heels in the attempt to reach a peace deal with Ukraine. Despite ongoing ceasefire negotiations, Vladimir Putin was blamed for deliberately continuing the conflicts after a double missile strike landed on the Ukrainian city of Sumy on Sunday. However, Volodymyr Zelenksy’s force hit back today with a drone blitz on Kursk.

Earlier this year, Putin indicated he would be prepared to agree to a short-term ceasefire with Ukraine - but only on his terms. This has resulted in US President Donald Trump considering taking action in the form of sanctions and tariffs on Russia to force them into a peace deal. Mr Trump previously said he was contemplating the move because "Russia is absolutely 'pounding' Ukraine on the battlefield right now".

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Prior to the strikes, Putin said he was broadly in favour of a US plan for a 30-day truce, before adding "there are nuances".

In a televised address, he said: "We agree with the proposals to cease hostilities. But our position is based on the assumption the ceasefire will lead to a long-term peace and would eliminate the root causes of this crisis."

President Trump has made multiple claims recently that the war would not have happened if were president at the time. This week, he added that "everybody's to blame", referring to Zelenskyy, Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin.

Russia is currently under Western sanctions, many of which target its oil exports and foreign currency reserves. The US has been considering mirroring this in an attempt to pressurise Mr Putin into a peace deal.

Writing online, President Trump said: "I am strongly considering large scale Banking Sanctions, Sanctions, and Tariffs on Russia until a Cease Fire and FINAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT ON PEACE IS REACHED. To Russia and Ukraine, get to the table right now, before it is too late."