Morning opening: One other spherical of Russian assaults on Ukraine
Jakub Krupa
Ukraine’s international ministry reported at the very least a dozen injured in 42 Russian drone assaults in a single day, hours after the 2 international locations agreed to satisfy for additional peace talks in Istanbul on Wednesday.
A few of the assaults concerned an condominium constructing in Kramatorsk, and websites in Sloviansk, Sumy, and Odesa. “One other night time of Russian terror,” the ministry mentioned.
“Russia have to be stopped with stronger stress and more durable sanctions. With out decisive motion, the assaults on civilians will solely proceed.”
Elsewhere, EU ministers meet in Copenhagen to discuss concerning the bloc’s migration and asylum coverage, and one other heatwave hits south-eastern Europe with temperatures in Greece anticipated to rise to 43 Celsius.
I’ll convey you all key updates from throughout Europe right now.
It’s Tuesday, 22 July 2025, it’s Jakub Krupa right here, and that is Europe Reside.
Good morning.
Key occasions
Cease killing folks at help distribution factors, EU’s Kallas tells Israel
Elsewhere, EU international coverage chief Kaja Kallas issued a stark warning to Israel, saying that “the killing of civilians looking for help in Gaza is indefensible”.
In a submit on X, she mentioned she spoke with Israeli international minister Gideon Sarr “to recall our understanding on help movement and made clear that IDF should cease killing folks at distribution factors”.
“All choices stay on the desk if Israel doesn’t ship on its pledges,” she added.
Israel’s affiliation settlement with the EU is already below scrutiny because of its actions in Gaza, with a current proposal of 10 numerous sanctions doubtlessly obtainable to the EU (blog).
Putin seems unfazed by ‘emotional’ Trump’s threats over Ukraine
Pjotr Sauer
Vladimir Putin seems unfazed by Donald Trump’s first tangible break with Moscow – an indication, analysts and Kremlin insiders say, that the Russian chief had lengthy anticipated a deterioration in relations from the obvious enchancment firstly of Trump’s second time period.
Whereas Moscow views the souring of ties with Trump as regrettable – the US president dramatically shifted tone final week as he introduced a deal to arm Ukraine and threatened huge sanctions in opposition to Russia – sources say Putin was all the time going to prioritise the conflict.
He stays assured that Russian forces are gaining floor and that Ukraine’s resistance may quickly unravel.
“Moscow is disenchanted and upset that it didn’t work out with Trump,” mentioned a former high-ranking Kremlin official.
“However no matter expectations Putin might need had for a superb relationship with Trump, it was all the time going to come back second to his maximalist objectives in Ukraine. For Putin, the invasion of Ukraine is existential,” the supply, talking on situation of anonymity, added.
The Russian president, who for months has gone out of his solution to flatter Trump, has not but commented on his threats, whereas the Kremlin and prime officers have avoided direct criticism. Behind the scenes, nonetheless, there was a combination of frustration and acceptance.
“In Moscow, there had been hope and anticipation of forging a powerful relationship with Trump,” mentioned Tatiana Stanovaya, an impartial Russian political analyst. “However the baseline expectation in Russia has all the time been more durable US sanctions and a gradual movement of weapons to Ukraine,” Stanovaya added.
Russia ‘monitoring’ positioning of US nuclear weapons in Britain
Individually, the Kremlin additionally responded to reports in The Times newspaper (£) that the US had stationed nuclear weapons in Britain for the primary time since 2008 that may very well be in future carried by Britain’s new F-35A fighter jets.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov mentioned: “We see a line in the direction of escalation of tensions, in the direction of militarisation, together with nuclear militarisation.”
He added: “Our related departments are monitoring developments on this space and formulating duties to make sure our safety in opposition to the backdrop of what’s taking place.”
No ‘miraculous breakthroughs’ anticipated in Istanbul peace talks, Russia says
In the meantime, the Kremlin mentioned it was not anticipating “miraculous breakthroughs” from the talks in Istanbul.
“There may be no motive to count on any breakthroughs within the class of miracles – it’s hardly doable within the present state of affairs,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov mentioned, as reported by Reuters.
“We intend to pursue our pursuits, we intend to make sure our pursuits and fulfil the duties that we set for ourselves from the very starting.“
Requested if he may give a way of how the Kremlin noticed the potential time-frame of a doable peace settlement, Peskov mentioned he may give no steering on timing.
“There may be a whole lot of work to be achieved earlier than we are able to discuss the opportunity of some top-level conferences,” he mentioned.
His feedback come a day after Zelenskyy renewed his supply to satisfy Russia’s Vladimir Putin for direct talks.
Former defence minister Umerov to steer Ukraine’s group for talks with Russia
Former defence minister Rustem Umerov will lead Ukraine’s group for tomorrow’s peace talks with Russia, the nation’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned.
Umerov, who was moved to steer the Nationwide Safety and Defence Council as a part of a broader authorities reshuffle, met with Zelenskyy to debate the important thing goals for the negotiations.
He will probably be joined for talks by representatives of Ukrainian intelligence, the nation’s international ministry, and the presidential workplace.
Zelenskyy mentioned:
“Our place is as clear as doable. Ukraine by no means wished this conflict, and it’s Russia that should finish the conflict that it itself began.”
Russia expands record of sanctioned EU officers
In the meantime, the Russian international ministry mentioned it has “considerably expanded” the record of sanctioned EU officers who will probably be banned from getting into Russia, with out declaring the names of these affected.
It mentioned the transfer was in response to the brand new EU sanctions, the newest spherical of which was adopted final Friday, Reuters reported.
Morning opening: One other spherical of Russian assaults on Ukraine
Jakub Krupa
Ukraine’s international ministry reported at the very least a dozen injured in 42 Russian drone assaults in a single day, hours after the 2 international locations agreed to satisfy for additional peace talks in Istanbul on Wednesday.
A few of the assaults concerned an condominium constructing in Kramatorsk, and websites in Sloviansk, Sumy, and Odesa. “One other night time of Russian terror,” the ministry mentioned.
“Russia have to be stopped with stronger stress and more durable sanctions. With out decisive motion, the assaults on civilians will solely proceed.”
Elsewhere, EU ministers meet in Copenhagen to discuss concerning the bloc’s migration and asylum coverage, and one other heatwave hits south-eastern Europe with temperatures in Greece anticipated to rise to 43 Celsius.
I’ll convey you all key updates from throughout Europe right now.
It’s Tuesday, 22 July 2025, it’s Jakub Krupa right here, and that is Europe Reside.
Good morning.
