Russia’s attack on the Ukrainian border city of Sumy has placed unwelcome emphasis on just how little fruit the White House’s relentless pursuit of diplomacy has borne.

In Sumy, a city already obliterated by conflict, a devastating missile strike killed at least 32 - including two children - as Russian despot Vladimir Putin stands accused of needlessly prolonging the bloody three-year war with Ukraine.

European officials have condemned Russia’s deadly missile attack k on Ukraine’s Sumy that killed and wounded scores.

Sunday's attack, which killed 34 people and injured 117, was widely condemned, with Germany calling it a war crime.