Richard Blumenthal are urging quick action by the US as Russia escalates its war in Ukraine, including the passage of a bipartisan bill they’ve introduced implementing sanctions on Moscow that they say could be the “sledgehammer” President Donald Trump needs to end the conflict.

Also in today’s newsletter, German defence minister calls on arms makers to deliver, and the EU pauses trade retaliation against US

At least six people were killed, with over 20 people wounded, into early Saturday as Russia continued to hammer Ukraine with hundreds of drones as part of a stepped-up bombing campaign that has further dampened hopes for a breakthrough in efforts to end the more than three-year-old war.