Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged U.S. President Donald Trump to implement "severe" sanctions against Russia, emphasizing the need for swift action to limit Russia's ability to produce missiles and related weapons. This call comes amid an escalation in Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure, including energy facilities, factories, and transportation hubs. Zelensky made these remarks during the Yalta European Strategy forum in Kyiv, where he stressed the urgency of sanctions, saying, "Sanctions must be imposed now. These sanctions must be severe." He also expressed confusion over the delay in decision-making, calling for "firm decisions, personal decisions by President Trump." Zelensky had previously indicated he expected to meet with Trump in late September in New York. This potential meeting follows recent diplomatic efforts to restart stalled negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, which have been in a deadlock since early this year. American envoys have visited both Moscow and Kyiv in an attempt to rekindle dialogue, but progress has been limited. For months, both Russia and Ukraine have intensified long-range attacks, with Russian strikes increasingly targeting civilian infrastructure such as refineries, warehouses, and energy systems. These attacks have severely impacted Ukraine's economy, particularly in the metallurgy sector, and disrupted agricultural exports through the Black Sea. Ukrainian officials have expressed concern over the lack of effective air defense systems to counter Russian missile attacks, which have left the country vulnerable to further damage. As winter approaches, Ukraine fears that Russia could exploit the colder months to inflict significant harm on its energy infrastructure, which is already under strain from repeated attacks. The situation has raised concerns about the country's ability to withstand further pressure, especially as the conflict enters its third year with no clear end in sight.