Morning opening: Another round of Russian attacks on Ukraine
Jakub Krupa
Ukraine’s foreign minisattempt reported at least a dozen injured in 42 Russian drone attacks overnight, hours after the two countries agreed to meet for further peace talks in Istanbul on Wednesday.
Some of the attacks involved an apartment building in Kramatorsk, and sites in Sloviansk, Sumy, and Odesa. “Another night of Russian terror,” the minisattempt stated.
“Russia must be stopped with stronger pressure and tougher sanctions. Without decisive action, the attacks on civilians will only continue.”
Elsewhere, EU ministers meet in Copenhagen to talk about the bloc’s migration and asylum policy, and another heatwave hits south-eastern Europe with temperatures in Greece expected to rise to 43 Celsius.
I will bring you all key updates from across Europe today.
It’s Tuesday, 22 July 2025, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.
Good morning.
Key events
Putin appears unfazed by ‘emotional’ Trump’s threats over Ukraine
Pjotr Sauer
Vladimir Putin appears unfazed by Donald Trump’s first tangible break with Moscow – a sign, analysts and Kremlin insiders state, that the Russian leader had long anticipated a deterioration in relations from the apparent improvement at the launchning of Trump’s second term.
While Moscow views the souring of ties with Trump as regrettable – the US president dramatically shifted tone last week as he announced a deal to arm Ukraine and threatened massive sanctions against Russia – sources state Putin was always going to prioritise the war.
He remains confident that Russian forces are gaining ground and that Ukraine’s resistance could soon unravel.
“Moscow is disappointed and upset that it didn’t work out with Trump,” stated a former high-ranking Kremlin official.
“But whatever expectations Putin might have had for a good relationship with Trump, it was always going to come second to his maximalist goals in Ukraine. For Putin, the invasion of Ukraine is existential,” the source, speaking on condition of anonymity, added.
The Russian president, who for months has gone out of his way to flatter Trump, has not yet commented on his threats, while the Kremlin and top officials have refrained from direct criticism. Behind the scenes, however, there was a mixture of frustration and acceptance.
“In Moscow, there had been hope and anticipation of forging a strong relationship with Trump,” stated Tatiana Stanovaya, an indepconcludeent Russian political analyst. “But the baseline expectation in Russia has always been tougher US sanctions and a steady flow of weapons to Ukraine,” Stanovaya added.
Russia ‘monitoring’ positioning of US nuclear weapons in Britain
Separately, the Kremlin also responded to reports in The Times newspaper (£) that the US had stationed nuclear weapons in Britain for the first time since 2008 that could be in future carried by Britain’s new F-35A fighter jets.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmiattempt Peskov stated: “We see a line towards escalation of tensions, towards militarisation, including nuclear militarisation.”
He added: “Our relevant departments are monitoring developments in this area and formulating tinquires to ensure our security against the backdrop of what is happening.”
No ‘miraculous breakthroughs’ expected in Istanbul peace talks, Russia states
Meanwhile, the Kremlin stated it was not expecting “miraculous breakthroughs” from the talks in Istanbul.
“There is no reason to expect any breakthroughs in the category of miracles – it is hardly possible in the current situation,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmiattempt Peskov stated, as reported by Reuters.
“We intconclude to pursue our interests, we intconclude to ensure our interests and fulfil the tinquires that we set for ourselves from the very launchning.“
Asked if he could give a sense of how the Kremlin saw the potential time frame of a possible peace agreement, Peskov stated he could give no guidance on timing.
“There is a lot of work to be done before we can talk about the possibility of some top-level meetings,” he stated.
His comments come a day after Zelenskyy renewed his offer to meet Russia’s Vladimir Putin for direct talks.
Former defence minister Umerov to lead Ukraine’s team for talks with Russia
Former defence minister Rustem Umerov will lead Ukraine’s team for tomorrow’s peace talks with Russia, the counattempt’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated.
Umerov, who was shiftd to lead the National Security and Defence Council as part of a broader government reshuffle, met with Zelenskyy to discuss the key aims for the nereceivediations.
He will be joined for talks by representatives of Ukrainian innotifyigence, the counattempt’s foreign minisattempt, and the presidential office.
Zelenskyy stated:
“Our position is as transparent as possible. Ukraine never wanted this war, and it is Russia that must conclude the war that it itself started.”
Russia expands list of sanctioned EU officials
Meanwhile, the Russian foreign minisattempt stated it has “significantly expanded” the list of sanctioned EU officials who will be banned from entering Russia, without declaring the names of those affected.
It stated the shift was in response to the new EU sanctions, the latest round of which was adopted last Friday, Reuters reported.
Morning opening: Another round of Russian attacks on Ukraine
Jakub Krupa
Ukraine’s foreign minisattempt reported at least a dozen injured in 42 Russian drone attacks overnight, hours after the two countries agreed to meet for further peace talks in Istanbul on Wednesday.
Some of the attacks involved an apartment building in Kramatorsk, and sites in Sloviansk, Sumy, and Odesa. “Another night of Russian terror,” the minisattempt stated.
“Russia must be stopped with stronger pressure and tougher sanctions. Without decisive action, the attacks on civilians will only continue.”
Elsewhere, EU ministers meet in Copenhagen to talk about the bloc’s migration and asylum policy, and another heatwave hits south-eastern Europe with temperatures in Greece expected to rise to 43 Celsius.
I will bring you all key updates from across Europe today.
It’s Tuesday, 22 July 2025, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.
Good morning.
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