Key events
Morning opening: Putin is not stopping
Jakub Krupa
Despite pointed criticism from US president Donald Trump, who said there was “a lot of bullshit is thrown at us” by Vladimir Putin, Russia continued its strikes on Ukraine overnight with the largest drone attack of the war.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said this morning that Russia attempted to strike 741 targets with 728 drones and 13 missiles.
The attack was so intensive that neighbouring Poland scrambled its and allied aircraft to ensure the safety of Polish airspace.
He said:
“This is a telling attack – and it comes precisely at a time when so many efforts have been made to achieve peace, to establish a ceasefire, and yet only Russia continues to rebuff them all.”
Zelenskyy argued that Russia’s continuing aggression is “yet another proof of the need of sanctions – biting sanctions against oil, which has been fueling Moscow’s war machine with money for over three years of the war.”
He added:
“Our partners know how to apply pressure in a way that will force Russia to think about ending the war, not launching new strikes.
Everyone who wants peace must act.”
Separately, we will be looking at the second day of French president Emmanuel Macron’s state visit in Britain, the latest from Marseille as it battles dangerous wildfires, and updates on US-EU trade talks.
It’s Wednesday, 9 July 2025, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.
Good morning.