Closing summary
… and on that note, it’s a wrap!
Ukraine’s parliament has passed a law restoring independence to two anti-corruption bodies, essentially annulling another law adopted last week that prompted the biggest street protests since Russia’s full-scale invasion three years ago (12:20, 12:48, 13:06, 14:06).
The EU has welcomed the move, with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen saying that restoring the independence of the agencies was “a welcome step,” and insisting that “Ukraine’s rule of law and anti-corruption reforms should continue” (12:38, 12:59, 15:08)
The legislative reform came just hours after another night of heavy attacks on Kyiv, with at least eight dead and over 120 injured (10:51, 11:16, 11:41), with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy suggesting the need for a “regime change” in Moscow to stop its imperial ambitions (9:33, 9:57).
Elsewhere,
Lithuanian prime minister Gintautas Paluckas has resigned from the post after growing questions over the alleged irregularities in dealings and financing of his company (10:35).
Swedish prime minister Ulf Kristersson urged the European Union to suspend the trade component of the bloc’s association agreement with Israel, saying the country was failing to meet its obligations on humanitarian aid in Gaza (10:55).
Portuguese prime minister Luís Montenegro said Portugal would consider recognising the Palestinian state at the UN general assembly meeting in September (14:24).
And that’s all from me, Jakub Krupa, for today.
If you have any tips, comments or suggestions, email me at jakub.krupa@theguardian.com.
I am also on Bluesky at @jakubkrupa.bsky.social and on X at @jakubkrupa.
France under pressure to stop $9.7m of USAID contraceptives being destroyed
Angelique Chrisafis in Paris and Lisa O’Carroll in Brussels
The French government has said it is closely monitoring a US plan to destroy millions of dollars of contraceptives stocked in Europe after outrage from French feminists, rights groups and family planning organisations at what they called a wasteful attack on women’s rights.
The Guardian reported this month that Donald Trump’s administration planned to destroy $9.7m of contraceptives that are believed to be in a warehouse in Belgium but may be moved to France for incineration. They are mostly long-acting contraceptives such as IUDs and birth control implants, which had been bought under public health programmes run by the US Agency for International Development and were probably intended for women in Africa.
A US state department spokesperson told Agence France-Presse this week that “a preliminary decision was made to destroy” certain birth control products from “terminated Biden-era USAID contracts”.
Trump’s administration dismantled USAID, the country’s foreign aid armbody, in January.
The spokesperson said the destruction would cost $167,000 and “no HIV medications or condoms are being destroyed”.
The contraceptives, stored in a warehouse in Geel in Belgium, were reportedly planned to be incinerated in France, although there has been no confirmation of this by France. France and Belgium are under pressure to prevent any destruction.
The French health ministry said in a statement: “We are following this situation closely and we support the will of the Belgian authorities to find a solution to avoid the destruction of contraceptives.
The defence of sexual health and reproductive rights is a foreign policy priority for France.
This week a collective of rights groups, feminists organisations and trade unions in France launched a petition to stop the destruction of the contraceptives. “We won’t allow this unfair and sexist decision to go ahead, it’s both an economic and human waste,” they said.
EU leaders welcome Ukrainian anti-corruption law reform
In other Brussels news, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the fast-tracked adoption of the new Ukrainian law earlier today.
In a post on social media, she said that “president Zelenskyy’s signature on the law restoring Nabu & Sapo independence is a welcome step.”
“Ukraine’s rule of law and anti-corruption reforms should continue. They remain essential for Ukraine’s progress on the European path. The EU will continue to support these efforts,” she said.
European Council president António Costa also published the same text, word-for-word.
Updated
EU exports of wines, spirit will face 15% tariff on trade with US
in Brussels
EU exports of wines and spirits will face a 15% tariff from tomorrow after an exemption failed to be agreed ahead of 1 August, Donald Trump’s deadline for trade deals.
The move is a setback for wine makers in France, Spain and Italy and elsewhere along with the Irish whiskey sector which relies heavily on the US for sales.
European Commission officials said they are continuing to negotiate carve outs for wine and spirits and for steel but talks were ongoing.
“The Commission remains determined to achieve and secure the maximum carve outs, including for traditional EU products such as wine and spirits. It is not our expectation that wine and spirits will be included in the first group announced by the US tomorrow, therefore those products will be captured by the 15 per cent ceiling,” said trade spokesperson Olof Gill.
The deal between Washington and Brussels agreed a ceiling of 15% tariff for most EU imports with some exemptions in both directions including aviation and aircraft parts and some non-sensitive agricultural produce such as nuts and petfood.
“EU and US negotiators are, as agreed, working to finalise the joint statement, building on the agreement reached. We will communicate more precise timings to you when these are known in the event more time is required to finalise the joint statement beyond 1 August,” said Gill.
With negotiations on the detailed list of exemptions ongoing, doubts have been raised that the expected joint statement will not be signed off ahead of tomorrow’s deadline.
The EU however expects the US to press ahead with its side of the deal, likely to be through an executive order, given it has already published the headline deal.
He added: “It is the clear understanding of the European Union that the US will implement the agreed across -the-board tariff ceiling of 15%. It is also our clear understanding that the US will implement the exemptions to the 15% ceiling, as outlined by President von der Leyen last Sunday.”
Gill pointed out that the joint statement is not a legally binding text and more of a “roadmap”.
The car sector is the most immediate beneficiary as it was facing import duties of 27.5%. But pharmaceuticals had been rated at zero tax under a long standing World Trade Organization agreement centred on keep costs of medicines down globally.
Portugal joins countries considering recognising state of Palestine in September
Portugal will consider recognising the Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly in September, the country’s prime minister Luís Montenegro said.
A statement from his office, reported by RTP and Publico, said that the government would consult the country’s president and party leaders “with a view to considering the recognition” in September.
The movement comes just days after Portugal co-signed a declaration of intent alongside numerous other European countries, such as Andorra, Finland, Ireland, Malta, and Slovenia (yesterday’s blog).
Canada, France, and the UK are among other countries that have openly suggested over the past week that they could move with the formal recognition in September.
Zelenskyy signs anti-corruption reform into law
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has just confirmed he signed the anti-corruption reform into law as he thanked parliamentarians for passing the bill.
“This guarantees the normal, independent work of anti-corruption bodies and all law enforcement agencies in our country. It is the right decision,” he said.
He also acknowledges that “it is very important that the state listens to public opinion,” acknowledging recent protests.
“Ukraine is a democracy – there is no doubt about that. Government officials will also immediately inform Ukraine’s partners about this law,” he said.
New anti-corruption reform 'direct and responsible response' to expectations of Ukrainians and partners, Ukraine's PM says
Ukrainian prime minister Yulia Svyrydenko said the reform adopted today by the country’s parliament is “a direct and responsible response to the expectations of Ukrainian society and our European partners.”
“It confirms Ukraine’s commitment to democratic governance, the rule of law, and institutional maturity. As the Government, we will now communicate this important step to all of our international partners. Strengthening the rule of law remains central to our reform agenda and to Ukraine’s European future,” she said.
The reform was welcomed by some EU leaders, with Estonian prime minister Kristen Michal “welcoming” the decision, and saying “this will help pave the way for the European future that Ukrainians are working and fighting for.”
Overnight strikes on Kyiv - in pictures
Here are some more pictures showing the aftermath of Russian attacks on Kyiv overnight, captured for us by Jędrzej Nowicki.
‘We got it fixed’, Ukraine’s foreign minister reacts to anti-corruption law reform
Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha has reacted to the parliament’s vote on social media, saying the law “demonstrates a princpled approach” and that “Ukraine is commited to reforms and the fight against corruption on our path to the EU and Nato.”
“We got it fixed,” he said.
Updated
New law 'restores key safeguards' and 'addresses key challenges' of anti-corruption agencies' independence, EU says
The European Commission has just offered its longer reaction to the Ukrainian vote.
Its enlargement spokesperson Guillaume Mercier said:
“What I can say is that the EU has clearly raised strong concerns about the adoption of the amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code in Ukraine last week.
Since then, we have been in close contact with Ukrainian authorities to remedy the situation.
So our messages all along have been really clear, Ukraine must build on this solid foundation as a future EU member state, and must preserve the independent anti corruption bodies which are the cornerstones of Ukraine’s rule of law.
When it comes to today’s vote, which has taken place a few minutes ago in the Rada, so the Rada has restored key safeguards ensuring the independence of the anti corruption bodies.
In our view, the new law addresses the key challenges of Nabu and Sapu independence.
We will, however, need to check the final text as it has just been adopted.
Let me, however, underline that this is not the end of the process.
Ukraine’s accession will require continuous efforts to guarantee a strong capacity to combat corruption and to respect, rule of law.
We expect Ukraine to deliver on those commitments swiftly and take decisive steps on rule of law.”
Listing specific issues, he said the EU expected Ukraine “to proceed with the swift appointment of the head of the economic security bureau of Ukraine, … restore the international experts in the high qualification commission of judges selection committee [and] to proceed with the appointment of four international, vetted judges to the constitutional court … and discard the problematic draft amendments to the criminal code and pass the administrative court law.”
He also confirmed there were no plans on freezing EU funds for Ukraine.
Updated
Rapid U-turn on controversial anti-corruption reform welcomed by cheers near Ukrainian parliament
in Kyiv
Ukraine’s parliament has passed a law restoring independence to two anti-corruption bodies, essentially annulling another passed law last week that prompted the biggest street protests since Russia’s full-scale invasion three years ago.
When news of the vote broke, cheers erupted among a crowd that had gathered in a park close to parliament, the latest in a set of protests over the past week, predominantly attended by young Ukrainians.
The law passed with 331 votes in favour and none against, a rapid U-turn from the bill which passed last week with support from president Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Servant of the People party.
The parliamentary session was televised for the first time since 2022, lifting a ban on filming for security reasons. Opposition MPs made fiery speeches criticising Zelenskyy and the presidential administration before the vote.
Ukrainian law reform 'corrects damaging vote' on anti-corruption agencies, restores key safeguards, EU commissioner says
EU enlargmenent commissioner Marta Kos welcomed the vote in the Ukrainian parliament saying that “today’s law restores key safeguards, but challenges remain.”
Here is her reaction in full:
“The Rada corrected last week’s damaging vote undermining NABU’s & SAPO’s independence.
Today’s law restores key safeguards, but challenges remain.
The EU supports citizens’ demands for reform. Upholding fundamental values & fighting corruption must remain the priority.”
Updated
As the vote took place, crowds of demonstrators gathered outside the parliament, calling for a swift adoption of the new law.
Ukrainian parliament approves Zelenskyy's legislation on independence of anti-corruption agencies
Updated
Eight dead in overnight attacks on Kyiv as Putin 'tests world's resolve', Ukrainian prime minister says
Ukrainian prime minister Yulia Svyrydenko just posted an update after overnight attacks on Kyiv, saying that the death toll from the strikes rose to eight as rescue efforts “continue across several districts” of the capital.
More than eighty people were injured, she added.
She said:
“This is how the Kremlin responds to calls for peace: with deliberate terror and the systematic targeting of Ukraine’s civilian population.
Putin is not seeking a solution. He is testing the world’s resolve, continuing to receive confirmation that mass murder has no real consequences.”
She called for more pressure on Russia’s war economy, full synchronisation of sanctions imposed against Moscow, and reinforcement of Ukraine’s air defences.
“Peace will not come through delay,” she said.
Updated
Separately, Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s most senior aide, Andriy Yermak, is recently more active online, responding to assertive statements from Russian politicians.
In his latest post he took aim at the former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev who earlier this week dismissed Trump’s threat of sanctions against Russia as “a theatrical ultimatum” and insisting “Russia didn’t care.”
He replied with a film reference to a scene in the 1997 Air Force One movie and a warning:
“America doesn’t tolerate. America strikes back.”
Updated
Presidential bill on anti-corruption reforms expected to be approved today, Ukraine's Sybiha says
Ukraine’s Sybiha was also asked about the anti-corruption law reform that prompted protests in Ukraine, as mentioned by Shaun earlier (10:51).
He defended the overhaul, while saying the Ukrainian government listened to criticism and that he hoped the revised bill would be passed by the country’s parliament today.
He said:
“We have Russian brutal aggression, but we are committed to the reforms.
Of course, we are hearing the reaction of our society. Of course, we are hearing the reaction of our international partners, but we are committed to the fight with corruption.
That’s our national interest, and because of security concerns, because of necessity to keep balance … influence of Russia on some bodies, this bill was initiated, and by the way, we expect that this bill will be approved today in our parliament.”
European history is being written with Ukrainian blood, foreign minister says
Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha is talking at the Helsinki+50 conference now, following earlier speech by president Volodymyr Zelenskyy (9:57).
“Unfortunately, president, me, we must start every speech with the [same] words [that] today Kyiv was [again] under attack, that today Ukraine was heavily attacked, we have casualties today, several or many civilian children were killed,” he said, saying it points to a failure of the postwar order to stop similar aggressions.
He’s then made this powerful point:
“I am confident that Ukrainian security and European security, they are indivisible, that it also means collective responsibility. …
History has never ended: not after Helsinki, not after the Berlin Wall fell, and probably altogether [never].
We are writing now our history and the main ink for European history now is the blood of my compatriots, of Ukrainian people.”
Sweden urges EU to suspend trade element of association agreement with Israel
Elsewhere, the Swedish prime minister, Ulf Kristersson, urged the European Union to suspend the trade component of the bloc’s association agreement with Israel.
In a post on social media, he said “the situation in Gaza is utterly deplorable, and Israel is not fulfilling its most basic obligations and agreed-upon commitments regarding humanitarian aid.”
He said:
“Sweden therefore demands that the EU, as soon as possible, freezes the trade component of the association agreement. Economic pressure on Israel must increase.
The Israeli government must allow unrestricted humanitarian aid in Gaza.”
He added:
“At the same time, pressure on Hamas must increase so that the hostages are released immediately and unconditionally.
Sweden welcomes the fact that more countries in the Middle East are demanding that Hamas be disarmed and not have a role in the future governance of Gaza.”
Drone, missile attacks in Kyiv leave dozens injured on eve of crucial vote on anti-corruption bodies
in Kyiv
Explosions rang out for hours, making it another sleepless night for many in the Ukrainian capital before a crucial parliamentary vote on Thursday on legislation to restore independence to two anti-corruption bodies.
The bill, if passed, would essentially undo a law passed last week that curtailed their powers and led to a political crisis.
The surprise changes prompted rare wartime street protests against the president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and accusations that his office was trying to protect powerful associates from anti-corruption investigations.
Zelenskyy announced late last week that he had listened to the criticism expressed at a series of street protests and from various western officials and would table a new law.
Lithuanian PM resigns after allegations about his company dealings
Lithuanian prime minister Gintautas Paluckas has resigned from the post after growing questions over the alleged irregularities in dealings and financing of his company, with coalition partners threatening to leave the government if he remained in post.
While denying any allegations of impropriety aired in the media, Paluckas went on two-week leave, and then decided to resign on Thursday morning.
Lithuania’s president Gitanas Nausėda confirmed he received the resignation on Thursday morning, welcoming it as the right choice, LRT reported.
The internal government discussions will now begin to pick the successor, with deputy parliament speaker Jouzas Olekas, Vilnius mayor Robert Duchnevič and social security and labour minister Inga Ruginienė among the top candidates.
Russian leadership 'stuck in another century', rejects postwar world order, Zelenskyy says as he suggests need to 'change regime'
Over the last half hour, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the Finnish Helsinki+50 conference marking the 50th anniversary of the 1975 Helsinki accords.
He said that “Russia keeps launching such attacks, even when the whole world is calling on it to stop the war, a war that Russia started, a war that Russia keeps dragging on, a war that only the Russian leadership wants.”
He did not mince his words as he accused Russian leadership of being “mentally stuck in another century, a time of brutal violence … [and] total disregard for human rights and equality.”
“We know that such ideas and such times must never return to Europe,” he said.
He said that “a total rejection of the post-second world war world … is the foundation of the current regime in Russia,” but that Moscow “can be pushed to stop this war.”
“We need to fully block Russia’s war machine, cut off its arms industry, limit its energy profits, and finally, put every frozen Russian asset including stolen wealth … to work, defending against the Russian aggression.
It’s time to confiscate the Russian assets, not just freeze them … to use them to serve peace, not war.”
But he warned:
“But if the world doesn’t aim to change the regime in Russia, that means, even after the war ends, Moscow will still try to destabilise neighbouring countries.”
Zelenskyy also pointedly helped Finnish president Alex Stubb and US president Donald Trump, saying that “Trump is truly interested in ending the war and we have to do everything we can to make sure the US and Europe act together for security.”
Updated
Morning opening: 'Showcase killings' in Kyiv as Ukraine calls on Trump to act now
Another night, another series of attacks on Ukrainian cities as Russia appears unfazed by the US threat of sanctions and secondary tariffs on its allies if it does not stop its invasion of Ukraine.
At least six people died, including a six-year-old boy, and 50 were injured in overnight attacks in Kyiv and across the country.
The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, called the attacks “showcase killings” as he urged Ukraine’s allies to push Moscow “to come to a real negotiating table” saying “all the tools needed for this are in the hands of our partners.”
We are counting on everything now being voiced by America and Europe toward this goal to be fulfilled.
Zelenskyy’s most senior aide, Andriy Yermak, went further in his comments, calling Russia “a terrorist state.”
He added:
“Putin is showing the world that he’s not afraid and intends to keep killing our people — our children.
Sanctions and weapons are what’s needed.
I’m confident the U.S. and President @POTUS will stand by the principle of ‘peace through strength.’”
Ukraine’s foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, called on Trump to not wait until 8 August and reduce his deadline for a Russian ceasefire “to zero”.
“Putin does it on purpose. He does not care about any attempts to put an end to the killing. He only seeks to destroy and kill. Because the entire existence of this war criminal is based on this senseless war, which he cannot win but refuses to end. He must face justice.
It’s time to make him feel the pain and consequences of his choices. It’s time to put maximum pressure on Moscow. It is time to synchronise all sanctions steps. It’s time to achieve peace through strength.”
I will bring you all key updates from across Europe here.
It’s Thursday, 31 July 2025, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.
Good morning.
