Olaf Scholz’s call with Vladimir Putin has been criticised after Russia launched one of the largest missile attacks of the war against Ukraine overnight. Donald Tusk, Poland’s prime minister, said the barrage proved “no-one will stop Putin with phone calls” and that “telephone diplomacy cannot replace real support from the whole West.

Ukrainian officials said the attack looked like an emphatic response by Russian President Vladimir Putin to moves from Kyiv’s allies to seek a peace deal.

The attack came as fears are mounting about Moscow’s intentions to devastate Ukraine’s energy capacity before winter.