Russia launches 42 drone strikes on Ukraine overnight, hours after agreeing to Istanbul peace talks – Europe live | Europe
Morning opening: Another round of Russian attacks on Ukraine
Jakub Krupa
Ukraine’s foreign ministry 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 ministry said.
“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
Stop killing people at aid distribution points, EU’s Kallas tells Israel
Elsewhere, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas issued a stark warning to Israel, saying that “the killing of civilians seeking aid in Gaza is indefensible”.
In a post on X, she said she spoke with Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sarr “to recall our understanding on aid flow and made clear that IDF must stop killing people at distribution points”.
“All options remain on the table if Israel doesn’t deliver on its pledges,” she added.
Israel’s association agreement with the EU is already under scrutiny as a result of its actions in Gaza, with a recent proposal of 10 various sanctions potentially available to the EU (blog).
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 say, that the Russian leader had long anticipated a deterioration in relations from the apparent improvement at the beginning 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 say 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,” said 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,” said Tatiana Stanovaya, an independent 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 Dmitry Peskov said: “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 tasks to ensure our security against the backdrop of what is happening.”
No ‘miraculous breakthroughs’ expected in Istanbul peace talks, Russia says
Meanwhile, the Kremlin said 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 Dmitry Peskov said, as reported by Reuters.
“We intend to pursue our interests, we intend to ensure our interests and fulfil the tasks that we set for ourselves from the very beginning.“
Asked if he could give a sense of how the Kremlin saw the potential time frame of a possible peace agreement, Peskov said 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 said.
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 country’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
Umerov, who was moved 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 negotiations.
He will be joined for talks by representatives of Ukrainian intelligence, the country’s foreign ministry, and the presidential office.
Zelenskyy said:
“Our position is as transparent as possible. Ukraine never wanted this war, and it is Russia that must end the war that it itself started.”
Russia expands list of sanctioned EU officials
Meanwhile, the Russian foreign ministry said 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 said the move 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 ministry 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 ministry said.
“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.
