The United States has condemned Russia’s record-breaking overnight aerial assault on Ukraine as a clear signal that Moscow is escalating the war rather
The United States has condemned Russia’s record-breaking overnight aerial assault on Ukraine as a clear signal that Moscow is escalating the war rather than seeking a diplomatic resolution, according to Keith Kellogg, Special Envoy for Ukraine under President Donald Trump.
Speaking hours after the Sept. 7 bombardment, Kellogg said the sheer scale and target of the attack — which included over 800 Iranian-made Shahed drones and 13 missiles — underscored Russia’s disregard for peace negotiations.
“This is not the act of a nation seeking diplomacy,” Kellogg posted on X (formerly Twitter). “Russia appears to be escalating with the largest attack of the war, hitting offices of the Ukrainian Cabinet in Kyiv.”
Historic Strike Hits Cabinet Building in Kyiv
The assault, the largest drone barrage since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, injured more than 40 people and damaged government buildings in central Kyiv — including the Cabinet of Ministers headquarters, according to Ukrainian officials.
Kellogg noted that he had visited the very same building just two weeks prior during Ukraine’s Independence Day commemorations.
“The danger in any war is escalation. History shows events can spiral out of control through actions like these,” he said, while asserting that President Trump remains “committed to ending this war.”
Trump’s Push for Peace Yields No Results
Despite repeated claims of a diplomatic push, the Trump administration’s efforts to broker a ceasefire between Kyiv and Moscow have produced little progress.
Trump’s August 8 deadline for Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt hostilities passed with no visible impact.
The Aug. 15 Trump-Putin summit in Alaska ended without agreement on a ceasefire or humanitarian pause.
President Zelensky has yet to meet with Putin, and Moscow continues to reject direct talks with the Ukrainian leadership.
While Trump officials maintain that diplomacy is ongoing, critics point to the lack of tangible pressure on Russia. The administration has not introduced any new sanctions, and Trump has repeatedly cut or suspended military aid to Ukraine, drawing criticism from Kyiv and American lawmakers alike.
Calls Grow for Tougher U.S. Response
In his nightly address, President Volodymyr Zelensky called the latest Russian attack a deliberate escalation and urged Washington to respond with stronger action.
“Ukraine is counting on a strong reaction from America,” Zelensky said.
Some signals of potential policy shifts have emerged. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that the U.S. is prepared to expand secondary sanctions targeting nations that continue to buy Russian oil.
Trump himself hinted at a new phase of punitive measures.
“We’re ready to move into a second tier of sanctions,” Trump told reporters on Sept. 7. “Russia needs to understand that escalation has consequences.” He did not elaborate on what those consequences would entail.
Escalation or Stalemate?
The Sept. 7 strikes — which targeted not only Kyiv but also cities across Ukraine’s north, east, and south — mark a turning point in Moscow’s strategy, according to military analysts. The symbolic hit on Ukraine’s central government institutions may be intended to project dominance ahead of any future peace talks, or to signal Moscow’s frustration with the lack of international concessions.
Either way, the path to a negotiated peace remains elusive, as Russia intensifies its offensive and Ukraine braces for further attacks.
