UK PM to join delegation of leaders lobbying US president to step up supplies, as Kremlin accuses Burnham of wanting to continue war
Burnham plans trip to New York as Ukraine pleads for US-made missiles
6m agoCIA director Ratcliffe visiting Moscow: US media
54m agoSlovak police thwart planned arson attack on drone factory
1h ago'Wartime situation': France tornado leaves dozens injured and thousands without power
2h agoThird drone and suspected military explosives found near German airport
3h agoZelenskyy: Ukraine has received a small number of US-made Patriot interceptors
3h agoRussia rejects French accusations of Moscow carrying out cyberattack campaign
5h agoUS military plane lands in Moscow - report
5h agoKremlin accuses Burnham of wanting Ukraine war to continue
5h agoPerpetrators behind German airport drone bomb 'will pay,' says Merz
6h agoAt least 35,000 excess deaths recorded in Europe’s back-to-back heatwaves
6h agoOpening summary: Burnham to take Zelenskyy's pleas for Patriot missiles to Trump - report
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has accused Andy Burnham of wanting the conflict in Ukraine to continue, saying the UK prime minister and Finnish president Alexander Stubb belonged to the “party of war”, Russian media reported.
During a visit to Kyiv yesterday, Stubb said he supported Ukraine’s long-range strikes on Russian territory, arguing that they could raise the cost of war for Russia and help force Moscow to the negotiating table.
When asked to respond, Peskov said: “We now see that such escalatory statements have prevailed. Mr Stubb is also a prominent representative of the ‘war party’, along with the British prime minister. They have distinguished themselves over the past few days with such bellicose statements. They want the war to continue.”
US Central Intelligence Agency director John Ratcliffe is visiting Moscow for meetings, US media said, after flight data showed an American military aircraft flew to the Russian capital (see post from 11.23).
CBS News quoted sources familiar with the situation as confirming Ratcliffe’s trip, saying it was his first known visit to Russia as CIA chief. Axios separately confirmed it quoting a US official.
There was no immediate comment from the CIA or the White House. Data from Flightradar earlier showed a US military C-17 traveling from the United States to Latvia and then Moscow.
There’s video footage of the large tornado that ripped through southwest France, injuring 39 and damaging homes.
Heavy thunderstorms and strong winds have struck the country following months of extreme heat, leading to record-breaking wildfires.
Slovak police said it foiled a planned arson attack on a manufacturing plant in the east of the country, detaining three foreign nationals.
In a statement on Facebook, police said the target of the attack was a factory producing unmanned aerial systems. It did not name the factory or give its precise location.
Two suspects were detained in Slovakia and one in Germany, police added.
If the attack had occurred, there was a risk of a large-scale fire, endangering the lives and health of people and causing extensive damage. It is estimated that approximately 70 employees were in the building at the time of the attack, while the value of the property in the production hall, according to current findings, reaches tens of millions of euros.”
Police seized a large amount of incendiary mixture, tools, mobile phones, an action camera and a hand-drawn plan. According to a preliminary expert opinion from the police force’s criminalistics and expertise institute, it was a mixture of gasoline and polystyrene, commonly referred to as napalm.”
In France, dozens of people were injured and thousands of homes were without power after a tornado wreaked havoc south of the country.
A tornado tore through the village of Pomas in the Aude region, damaging about 300 homes and injuring 39 people, including two who were in critical condition, AFP reports.
Enedis, a utility company that manages France’s electricity distribution, said 7,250 household across the Languedoc-Roussillon region were without power including 1,600 in Aude.
“A tornado of rare intensity struck the Aude region late yesterday afternoon, causing severe damage to the village of Pomas,” French interior minister Laurent Nunez said on X.
Herve Gine, the mayor of Pomas, likened the disaster left behind to “a wartime situation”.
“We were bombed by nature, people are in shock,” he said, adding that some “have lost everything”.
German investigators uncovered a third drone and suspected military explosives thought to be connected to an attempted attack on Leipzig airport, local media have reported.
The drone was discovered in Kabelsketal, just to the west of the airport, along with about 50g (1.8oz) of a suspected military explosive on 14 August, 10 days after the unsuccessful sabotage. Leipzig airport is a cargo and military logistics hub used by Nato and Ukraine’s Antonov Airlines for transporting military supplies.
The office of the prosecutor general, which is leading the investigation, declined to comment on Tuesday. But the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, said the government would soon provide information about who it believed was behind the drone attacks.
“They will pay for this,” Merz said, stopping short of naming a suspect, before a cabinet meeting in Brandenburg. He added that the government was “working intensively on this together with the security authorities and we will present our findings and comment on them shortly”.
We have a statement from the European council president, António Costa, who is in Slovakia today as he kicked off his ‘tour des capitales’ (or tour of the capitals). He met Slovak prime minister Robert Fico in Bratislava, a political leader who has been averse to military aid to Ukraine.
In a statement during a joint press conference, Costa said the €2tn (£1.7tn) EU budget for 2028 to 2034 will be a decisive issue this autumn.
One thing is certain: we must reach an agreement before the end of this year. We cannot risk interruptions in EU funding in 2028. They would affect our farmers, our businesses, our students, researchers and innovators – in a nutshell, our citizens. I know it won’t be easy. But I am encouraged by the constructive spirit among leaders, and I am confident we can reach an agreement. “In that context, I want to thank Robert for Slovakia’s constructive approach to this debate. I also want to thank Robert for Slovakia’s coherent and steadfast support for the European Union enlargement. Supporting the western Balkans, Moldova and Ukraine, on their paths towards membership of the European Union, is an investment in Europe’s – including Slovakia’s – security and prosperity. We need to continue working with the candidates through a merit-based process, and respect all of them equally.”
One thing is certain: we must reach an agreement before the end of this year. We cannot risk interruptions in EU funding in 2028.
They would affect our farmers, our businesses, our students, researchers and innovators – in a nutshell, our citizens. I know it won’t be easy. But I am encouraged by the constructive spirit among leaders, and I am confident we can reach an agreement.
“In that context, I want to thank Robert for Slovakia’s constructive approach to this debate. I also want to thank Robert for Slovakia’s coherent and steadfast support for the European Union enlargement. Supporting the western Balkans, Moldova and Ukraine, on their paths towards membership of the European Union, is an investment in Europe’s – including Slovakia’s – security and prosperity. We need to continue working with the candidates through a merit-based process, and respect all of them equally.”
While Fico has voiced support for Ukraine’s EU membership, he has previously spoken against a proposal by Germany to make Kyiv an associate member while its full accession process continues. He argued that other longstanding candidate countries, including Montenegro, Albania and Serbia, also have the right to join the bloc, and that fast-tracking Ukraine would effectively mean giving the western Balkans the “middle finger”.
A man from Yorkshire is believed to be the first British citizen to die fighting for Russia in its war against Ukraine.
Bradley Townsend, a 33-year-old fisher from Barnsley, left Britain in April to join up with Russian separatists in eastern Donbas to aid in their invasion of Ukraine, despite having no previous combat experience or familiar ties to eastern Europe. Alongside 49-year-old Ben Stimson and 39-year-old Aiden Minnis, Townsend was granted Russian citizenship for joining the country’s military campaign.
He is believed to have been killed by a remote-controlled first-person-view drone near Lyman, a city in Donetsk, on 10 June. He appeared in videos posted to social media by pro-Russian accounts, including one seemingly owned by Stimson, who was jailed in the UK in 2015 prior to Russia’s full scale invasion for travelling to join pro-Russian troops to fight in the region.
Ukraine has recently received a small number of US-made Patriot interceptors capable of downing Russian ballistic missiles, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Tuesday.
Reuters reports the country also got confirmation of future supplies of the French Crotale surface-to-air missile system. He did not say how many had arrived, or who had supplied them. Zelenskyy was speaking to Ukrainian state broadcaster Suspilne.
A lot of diplomatic news out of Moscow today, where the Russian foreign ministry has rejected accusations by France that Moscow allegedly conducted a cyberattack campaign against European countries including France, saying Paris was trying to revive the “myth of a ‘Russian threat.’”
Vatican envoy Paul Gallagher met Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow earlier today, and Reuters has some snap quotes from Pope Leo XIV’s representative following the meeting. He is quoted as saying that “The Ukrainian war must end” and that the pair discussed “avenues for pursuing lasting and just peace in Ukraine”.
In relation to the post on a US military plane landing in Moscow (at 11:23), Reuters reported that the last time a US jet flew to Russia from Europe was in January, when special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner travelled to Moscow to meet Vladimir Putin for peace talks.
Also in Moscow this morning, Vatican envoy Paul Gallagher met Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov, stressing the importance of diplomacy and dialogue during what he called a difficult time for international relations, Reuters reports.
Gallagher said the world needed diplomacy more than ever.
A US military transport aircraft has landed in Moscow, according to air traffic monitoring data cited by Russia’s Tass news agency.
Data showed the plane departed from Joint Base Andrews near Washington on Sunday, transited Riga in Latvia and landed in Moscow at about 10am local time this morning.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov had no information about the Boeing C-17A Globemaster III that landed in Moscow, Tass reported.
There’s scant information available at the moment but we will bring you more as we get it.
We are seeing the first reports of German chancellor Friedrich Merz’s statement this morning ahead of a cabinet meeting in Brandenburg.
He has spoken out for the first time about the attempted drone attack on Leipzig airport earlier this month. As my colleagues Deborah Cole and Andrew Roth reported at the time, a small drone carrying explosives was found at Leipzig/Halle airport, a major cargo and military logistics hub that handles aid shipments to Ukraine. The incident triggered an alarm and forced several flights to be diverted. German police deployed a bomb disposal robot to defuse and destroy the explosive device, which was found in the vicinity of several Ukrainian cargo planes.
Merz said Germany has “increasingly come into the crosshairs of hybrid attackers” and that perpetrators must face consequences. “They will pay for it,” Merz said, according to the German newspaper Die Welt.
Merz said his government was “working closely with the security authorities” on the matter, and that it will present its findings “shortly”.
Local media, citing security sources, have reported potential Russian involvement in the attempted attack, but Merz did not comment on the possible perpetrators.
In other news, at least 35,000 more people died during Europe’s record-breaking heatwaves this summer than would normally be expected, the Guardian’s Europe correspondent Jon Henley reports.
According to provisional national figures, which cover barely half of the continent, excess mortality in three of the EU’s larger countries – Germany, France and Spain – has already exceeded 25,000, as experts warn the toll will rise significantly once August totals are consolidated.
Zelenskyy has been thanking world leaders individually on X for their messages of support on Ukraine’s independence day (35, and counting). Here is his message to King Charles and Queen Camilla:
Warm and sincere Independence Day wishes from His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty The Queen are deeply moving and exceptionally meaningful. I am grateful for the emphasis on Ukraine’s history, rich culture, and unyielding national spirit, as well as the resilience of the Ukrainian people, who continue to defend their homeland and uphold the values that define our state. The steadfast friendship between Ukraine and the United Kingdom remains an invaluable wellspring of strength for our nation. We are sincerely grateful for the constant solidarity shown by the British people. Our special bond is built upon our shared commitment to freedom, democracy, and justice. I wish His Majesty good health and continued success, as well as peace and prosperity for the United Kingdom and its people.”
Warm and sincere Independence Day wishes from His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty The Queen are deeply moving and exceptionally meaningful.
I am grateful for the emphasis on Ukraine’s history, rich culture, and unyielding national spirit, as well as the resilience of the Ukrainian people, who continue to defend their homeland and uphold the values that define our state.
The steadfast friendship between Ukraine and the United Kingdom remains an invaluable wellspring of strength for our nation.
We are sincerely grateful for the constant solidarity shown by the British people. Our special bond is built upon our shared commitment to freedom, democracy, and justice.
I wish His Majesty good health and continued success, as well as peace and prosperity for the United Kingdom and its people.”
It’s worth reading Zelenskyy’s social media post about Trump in full (particularly the last line). Here is what he wrote on X:
I received warm and heartening congratulations from President Trump on the 35th Anniversary of the Restoration of Ukraine’s Independence: “Dear Mr. President: On behalf of the American people, I congratulate you and the citizens of Ukraine on your Independence Day. August 24 is a day to celebrate our enduring friendship built on 35 years of diplomatic relations, a bond that has only deepened since Ukraine gained its independence. With courageous, brave, and talented people, you have built a great country. As you commemorate this important occasion, know that the United States stands in admiration of your resilient spirit, honors your sacrifices, and remains confident in your future as a sovereign, prosperous nation. Let us seize this moment to end the conflict and build a durable, lasting peace that unleashes the tremendous potential of Ukraine for generations to come. Sincerely, Donald J. Trump” These words, much like the sound of a Patriot PAC-3 launch, lift our spirits and give hope that lives can be protected from Russia’s savage attacks and that a dignified peace can be achieved. Thank you, President Trump and all Americans, for your support and congratulations!”
I received warm and heartening congratulations from President Trump on the 35th Anniversary of the Restoration of Ukraine’s Independence:
On behalf of the American people, I congratulate you and the citizens of Ukraine on your Independence Day. August 24 is a day to celebrate our enduring friendship built on 35 years of diplomatic relations, a bond that has only deepened since Ukraine gained its independence.
With courageous, brave, and talented people, you have built a great country. As you commemorate this important occasion, know that the United States stands in admiration of your resilient spirit, honors your sacrifices, and remains confident in your future as a sovereign, prosperous nation.
Let us seize this moment to end the conflict and build a durable, lasting peace that unleashes the tremendous potential of Ukraine for generations to come.
These words, much like the sound of a Patriot PAC-3 launch, lift our spirits and give hope that lives can be protected from Russia’s savage attacks and that a dignified peace can be achieved. Thank you, President Trump and all Americans, for your support and congratulations!”
Hello, and welcome to our Europe live blog. A day after hosting world leaders in Ukraine for the country’s independence day celebrations, president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has taken to social media with a flurry of posts thanking those who sent their best wishes, including Donald Trump.
The Ukrainian president appeared to make a pointed nod to one of his most pressing requests, saying Trump’s message of support lifted spirits “much like the sound of a Patriot PAC-3 launch”. The US Patriot air defence system has been instrumental in protecting Ukraine’s cities from Russian attacks, but stocks are running dangerously low. The shortage has been compounded by the US and Israel’s war on Iran, with Patriot interceptors diverted to defend US bases and regional allies in the Middle East, leaving fewer available for Ukraine as Russia continues to launch waves of ballistic missiles.
In his first international trip as prime minister, Andy Burnham arrived in Kyiv yesterday where he announced the UK government will release the blueprints for British-made components for the Scalp missile, a French version of the UK’s Storm Shadow cruise missile, allowing Ukraine to work with France to produce its own version.
“Ukraine has been Europe’s protector, not a drain on our security, but the frontline of keeping Europe safe,” Burnham said.
In an interview with Bloomberg, Burnham said he would travel to the New York next month to join European leaders lobbying Trump to supply Ukraine with Patriot missiles. If it goes ahead, it would be his first trip to the US as prime minister.
Burnham said he was “really optimistic” that Ukraine’s interceptor shortage was “fixable”, but added: “There are other players who could help in the mix who we have influence with. It’s probably going to be a solution that involves a lot of layers and a lot of negotiation.”
European council president, António Costa, is on his way to Slovakia as part of his annual tour of European capitals. He is scheduled to hold talks in Bratislava with prime minister Robert Fico, who has not been as forthcoming as other European leaders on military aid to Ukraine.
Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov will host the Vatican’s most senior diplomat, Paul Gallagher, for talks in Moscow. The official Vatican News described the four-day visit as “a mission of dialogue and peace”, but made no mention of whether Ukraine would be on the agenda.
German chancellor Friedrich Merz is back from summer recess and is meeting with his ministers in Brandenburg this morning. He faces a crucial test at the polls next month, with his party under pressure to hold ground against the surging far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). The AfD has a real chance of taking power in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt on 6 September – one of three state elections taking place this autumn – in what could be a major blow to Merz’s coalition.
Europe live with Jakub Krupa
