'Vladimir, STOP!' Donald Trump left pleading with Putin after Russia's lethal overnight strikes put Ukraine peace deal at risk

"Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Let's get the Peace Deal DONE!"

Russian troops launched ballistic missile and drone strikes against the Ukrainian capital in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The attack has been described as one of the deadliest witnessed in Kyiv since the start of the war.

Nine were killed and dozens sustained injuries as a result of the aerial onslaught.

Rescue missions have been launched across the city as emergency workers scrambled to pull people out of the rubble.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky today opted to link the Kyiv attack to pressure on the US.

Speaking at a joint press conference alongside South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Zelensky said: "We’re defending our rights; Russia understands this and is putting pressure on us."

He added: “It’s also pressuring America, which is also why I associate today’s strike with that.”

Sir Keir Starmer also hit back against Trump's claims about Zelensky.

“I think it’s a real reminder that Russia is the aggressor here and that is being felt by the Ukrainians, as it has been felt for three long years now,” the Prime Minister said.

“These attacks – these awful attacks – are a real, human reminder of who is the aggressor here and the cost to the Ukrainian people,” he added.

Trump had blamed Zelensky for derailing his peace plan by refusing to accept the loss of Crimea.

“He can have peace or he can fight for another three years before losing the whole country,” the 47th President said.

Asked whether Britain would ever recognise Russian possession of Crimea, the Prime Minister’s spokesman said: “Our position on Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity has not changed.”