Closing summary
… and on that note, it’s a wrap!
Ukraine has received positive signals on resuming US military aid, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said (18:45), with additional talks continuing on securing additional Patriot systems for Ukraine, which could be paid by Germany and Norway, among others (18:51).
Zelenskyy earlier said that Russian daily attacks on Ukrainian cities amounted to “terrorism” as he said Russia’s Vladimir Putin “wants our people to suffer” (11:40).
The development comes hours after US state secretary Marco Rubio told Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov that US president Donald Trump was “disappointed” with the lack of progress on ending the Russian invasion of Ukraine in what both sides described as a “frank” conversation (14:48).
Meanwhile some of Europe’s most senior political leaders lined up to declare their support for Ukraine at a high-profile conference in Rome (11:21, 11:36, 12:00, 12:06, 12:11, 12:12, 12:15, 12:20).
Countries of the so-called “Coalition of the Willing” have agreed on key parts of their post-ceasefire plans for Ukraine, as they operationalise the proposed peacekeeping force, with a new headquarter in Paris (17:38). French president Emmanuel Macron said the force would be capable of policing a ceasefire, if one is agreed (17:54).
Lithuania’s political leaders were briefly taken to shelters after alarm was raised over an unidentified object violating the country’s airspace from Belarus, Lithuanian media reported (14:04). Defence minister Dovilė Šakalienė confirmed it was a “Gerbera”, a decoy drone intended to imitate the more dangerous Shahed drones (17:12).
Increased Russian activity – including sabotage planning, attempted sanction evasion, state-backed cyber-attacks and disinformation – made 2024 “one of the most challenging in the modern history of the Czech Republic in terms of security,” the head of the country’s security services Michal Koudelka said (10:43).
Elsewhere,
French president Emmanuel Macron repeatedly blamed Brexit for aggravating Britain and France’s problems with irregular migration, “the opposite effect of what Brexit promised” (18:01, 18:10).
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen easily survived the no confidence vote in the European parliament in Strasbourg, with 175 votes in favour, and 360 votes against (12:34).
The EU and the US are no closer to announcing a deal after a phone call between EU trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič and the US trade representative Jamieson Greer, it has emerged (13:15).
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.
Zelenskyy also confirmed Bloomberg’s reports from earlier this week (£) that he could replace the country’s ambassador to the US.
He said he was considering Ukraine’s defence minister, Rustem Umerov, for the job.
He said the new ambassador’s top task will be to strengthen Ukraine’s defence against Russia’s aggression.
Germany prepared to pay for two Patriot systems, Norway for one, Zelenskyy says
Zelenskyy also offered a bit more detail on Ukraine’s plans to get more Patriot missiles from the US, with the help of European allies.
He says there was “a positive dialogue” with US president Trump on the Patriot system.
He says Germany is prepared to pay for two Patriot systems for Ukraine, with Norway offering to pay for another one.
He says other European partners could join when there is more clarity on the costs and details of what’s needed.
On sanctions, he says he counts on the US leadership to implement “tough” measures to disrupt Russia’s ability to continue attacks.
Ukraine gets positive signals on resuming military aid from US, Zelenskyy says
Meanwhile in Rome, Zelenskyy says Ukraine has got “all necessary political signals for military aid resumption” after recent constructive talks with Trump.
He said Ukraine received “a timetable and details of weapons supplies,” Reuters reported.
Updated
On Ukraine, Macron also warns that Russia “has never kept to its commitments” since the beginning of its invasion of Ukraine, and only adds to an already complex risk landscape with terrorism, maritime, cyber threats.
But he points out that it needs to be recognised that just a few thousands kilometers from France, there is a country that spends 40% of its budget on the military.
The press conference ends with Starmer asked about recognising Palestinian statehood to which he replies it has been Labour’s policy for a long time, but the focus in on getting a ceasefire.
So with that, let’s turn out attention to Rome, where Zelenskyy is speaking.
Updated
Zelenskyy speaking to media after Rome conference on Ukraine
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Zelenskyy is also beginning his press conference in Rome now.
You can watch it here:
Separately, it’s worth noting that Macron – again, just like he did in his parliamentary speech on Tuesday – raises the prospect of the UK and France recognising a Palestinian state, saying it was “the only hope for peace” in the region.
One to watch.
Curiously, Macron again switches to English as he picks up a different point from Starmer on irregular migration and clearly wants to send a signal to the UK insisting that “the only way to be efficient is to work together.”
He says the migration crisis is also having an effect on northern France – Calais, Dunkirk and a lot of other cities, a point that he says is underestimated in the UK debate on migration.
He says he hopes the new plan will have a strong deterrence effect and will help resolve the issue.
Macron doubles down on criticism of Brexit, its impact on irregular migration
Macron doubles down on his criticism of Brexit in the Q&A.
He says Britons were “sold a lie that the problem was Europe,” adding it left “a legal black hole,” with resulted in Brexit causing further problems.
He insists the new plans are “pragmatic” and “for the first time in nine years” – that’s since the Brexit referendum in 2016 – are focused on actually solving the problem.
He then puts forward a powerful defence of centrism in politics, saying that most serious issues these days need to resolved by cooperation with others – not by getting stuck in simplistic and nationalistic narratives.
(Starmer says something similar criticising “the performative politics of easy answers” as he takes a swipe at Nigel Farage.)
A reminder that if you need more on UK domestic politics angles, you can read it here:
Updated
Despite promises, Brexit makes it more difficult to tackle irregular migration, Macron says
Oh, that’s interesting: Macron also once again – as he did in his parliamentary speech on Tuesday – pointedly criticises Brexit.
He discusses in details various decisions made during today’s meeting, including their agreed on a one in, one out rule.
But then he pointedly says Britain’s withdrawal from the EU makes it even more difficult for both countries to fight illegal migration.
He says:
“Since Brexit, the UK no longer has any migration agreement with EU.
So for people wanting to cross, there is no legal admission, nor a way of sending people back after a crossing.
This is a pull factor to attempt the crossing, exactly the inverse effect of what Brexit promised.”
Updated
Macron praises coalition arrangements for Ukraine
Macron also talks about the need to speed up bilateral UK-French cooperation on new generation of missiles and coordination on AI, space and cyberspace and disinformation.
“In a period where our countries are facing hybrid threats, this is a wide ranging toolbox to confront the challenges we are faced with,” he says.
On Ukraine, he talks the two countries share determination to keep supporting Kyiv.
He says the EU’s 18th package of sanctions “is being finalised and the Americans are preparing to impose further sanctions” too.
The French president then turns to the Coalition of the Willing (17:38), saying the arrangements agreed today mean “we will be able to hold this ceasefire and give it credibility in the air, [and] on the sea.”
“We also wish to strengthen our partnership against the Russian shadow fleet and their fight against their avoidance of sanctions,” he adds.
Macron also talk about security issues, stressing that Britain and France have a particular responsibility as the two European countries with nuclear weapons.
He warns that there are growing security risks, with threats coming not only from terrorists, but also with the consequences of a major conflict in Europe.
As part of their response, the two countries will increase the Combined Joint Expeditionary Force to 50,000 troops.
On nuclear, he sends a strong signal, saying:
“We don’t exclude coordinating our nuclear deterrence. This is a message our partners need to hear, and our adversaries, too.”
Updated
'While Putin turns back on peace, we are rallying more support for Ukraine,' Starmer says
Starmer begins by discussing all sorts of issues raised during bilateral talks with France, including on migration.
But on Ukraine, he says:
“We have just co chaired a meeting of the coalition of the willing, including representatives from the United States, for the first time.
We announced plans for a new multinational force Ukraine headquartered in Paris, so that we are ready to support a peace deal when it comes.
While Putin turns his back on peace, we are rallying more support for Ukraine right now to defend their people and force Putin to the table.”
Updated
Starmer, Macron speaking at conclusion of three-day state visit
Starmer and Macron are now speaking at a press conference together.
You can watch it below, and I will bring you the key lines here.
And for key UK news angles, including on migration in the English Channel, follow our UK live blog here:
'Coalition of the Willing' agrees key parts of post-ceasefire operations, plans to 'step up' support to Ukraine to put pressure on Russia
As we are still waiting for both press conferences, we have just heard from the UK on the Coalition of the Willing’s plans for further help for Ukraine after its leaders met virtually earlier today.
The meeting was joined for the first time by US representatives, including presidential envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg and senator Lindsey Graham.
A 3-star multinational operational headquarters of the coalition will be based in Paris, and will rotate to London after 12 months.
In case of a lasting ceasefire, the new coalition force is expected to help with regenerating and reconstituting Ukraine’s land forces, securing Ukraine’s skies with coalition aircraft delivering air policing, and supporting safer seas, particularly in the Black Sea.
The leaders also “agreed their priority effort must be to focus on Ukraine’s immediate defence in the face of relentless Russian attacks on critical national infrastructure and civilians,” the statement read.
British prime minister Keir Starmer said:
“In the coming days and weeks, we will step up our support to keep Ukraine in the fight now, increasing pressure on Putin through crippling sanctions and ensuring Ukraine’s Armed Forces have the equipment they need to defend their sovereign territory.”
He added:
I am clear that the more we do to counter Russia’s aggression, the safer we will keep the British people, our allies and the Euro-Atlantic area.
Lithuania confirms Gerbera drone crash after flying in from Belarus
In the meantime, we are getting a bit more detail on the unmanned aircraft reported by the Lithuanian authorities earlier (14:04).
Defence minister Dovilė Šakalienė confirmed it was a “Gerbera”, a decoy drone intended to imitate the more dangerous Shahed drones, LRT reported.
She added that there was currently no evidence to confirm if the drone was deliberately sent across the border from Belarus into Lithuania.
Gintautas Ciunis, of the Lithuanian armed forces, confirmed it did not pose a danger, but a more in-depth investigation into the incident was under way.
The aircraft reportedly flew at a low altitude of about 100 meters, at a speed of 50–60 km/h, before falling to the ground, it was reported.
We are also waiting for Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s press conference in Rome.
You can watch it with us below, but I will bring you all the key lines here.
The two leaders will also appear at a joint press conference at the end of Macron’s three-day state visit in Britain at some point in the next hour – I will bring you all the latest here.
Updated
Starmer, Macron urge allies to step up 'pressure' on Putin, say peacekeeping plans are 'mature' and 'ready to go'
British prime minister Keir Starmer and French president Emmanuel Macron called for more pressure in the form of fresh sanctions against Moscow to secure a ceasefire in Ukraine, AFP reported.
“We should shift our work for preparing for peace, making it happen by forcing Putin to the table... this coordinated pressure will make a difference,” said Starmer.
Starmer also said the European plans for a peacekeeping force were “mature” after months of planning, with Macron describing them as “ready to go” once a ceasefire is agreed, PA news agency reported.
Separately, Macron also called for allies to “step up the pressure on Russia”.
Sweden’s migration minister ‘shocked’ by teenage son’s far-right activism
Nordic correspondent
Sweden’s migration minister has said he is “shocked and horrified” after discovering his teenage son’s involvement in far-right extremist groups.
Johan Forssell, whose centre-right party runs a governing coalition that depends on the support of the far-right Sweden Democrats, said on Thursday that he had been contacted a few weeks ago by the Swedish security service, Säpo, about his 16-year-old son’s activities.
The minister decided to go public after the anti-racism magazine Expo revealed that a “close relative of a Swedish minister” was active in the violent far right.
Despite following his son on social media, where his son in turn followed far-right activists and influencers, Forssell said he had no idea about his involvement until he was contacted by journalists.
“As a father you are shocked, you are horrified. I have a deeply remorseful 15-year-old, who just turned 16,” Forssell told TV4. “These activities are over but our conversations will, of course, continue.”
Writing on social media, he said he hoped it would be an “eye-opener” for other parents, saying the findings “highlight a bigger societal issue”. “How much do we actually know about what our children do on social media and how can we protect them from being dragged into something we don’t want?”
Forssell said his son, who has not been named, is not suspected of any crime.
Far-right extremism has long been present in Sweden, but experts say recent years have seen a shift towards smaller, more agile groups, often based around fitness, recruiting boys and young men on social media platforms before moving to other private platforms. The number of active groups in the Swedish far right are believed to be at their highest point since 2008.
The last general election saw the Sweden Democrats, which has roots in neo-Nazism, become the country’s second biggest party and gain a powerful role in the direction of the governing coalition.
Speaking of difficult relations between a father and son, let’s go to Sweden, and Miranda Bryant for a story about the country’s migration minister and his son.
Ukraine arrests Chinese father and son on suspicion of spying
Ukraine says it has arrested a Chinese father and son on suspicion of spying on its Neptune anti-ship missile programme, a key part of Kyiv’s growing domestic arms industry that is critical to its defence against Russian forces.
The announcement by Ukraine’s security service (SBU) follows assertions by Kyiv in recent months that Beijing, which has sought to project an image of neutrality, is helping the Kremlin’s war effort.
Counterintelligence officials arrested a 24-year-old former student in Kyiv after they provided him with “technical documentation” related to Neptune production, the SBU said in a statement on Wednesday.
They later detained his father, who had aimed to smuggle out the documents to the Chinese special services, the agency said. The father had been living in China but visited Ukraine to “personally coordinate” his son’s work, it added.
A Ukrainian official told Reuters the two men were the first Chinese people arrested for spying since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
China’s foreign ministry on Thursday said it was “still verifying the relevant information”.
“If Chinese citizens are involved, we will safeguard their legitimate rights and interests in accordance with the law,” a ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, told a regular press conference when asked about the arrests.
A lawyer for the men could not immediately be reached.
— via Reuters
US 'disappointed' with lack of progress on Ukraine, Rubio tells Russia's Lavrov in 'frank' exchange with 'new idea' from Russia
Separately, US state secretary Marco Rubio met earlier today with Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of the Asean gathering in Malaysia.
Rubio told reporters after the meeting that he expressed “disappointment and frustration” to his Russian counterpart over the lack of progress on resolving the Ukraine war.
“I echoed what the president [Donald Trump] said, both a disappointment and frustration at the lack of progress,” he said, saying it was “a frank, important conversation.”
Moscow described the meeting as a “substantive and frank exchange of views.”
AFP reported that Rubio also added that Lavrov shared “a new idea” on Ukraine, without offering any detail on what it was.
“It’s not a new approach. It’s a new idea or a new concept that I’ll take back to the president to discuss,” Rubio told reporters, cautioning it was not something that “automatically leads to peace, but it could potentially open the door to a path.”
Updated
Germany's Merz says he spoke with Trump on Patriots for Ukraine, no decision made yet
German chancellor Friedrich Merz said he spoke with US president Donald Trump about getting more Patriot missiles for Ukraine, but there was no final decision yet.
Merz said he was “in close contact with the American government, with president Trump” about plans to buy more Patriot systems and send them to Ukraine as he stressed the need to strenghten Ukraine’s air defence “in light of ongoing Russian attacks.”
“The Americans need some of them themselves, but they also have a lot of them. ... It has not yet been finalised whether a delivery will be made,” he said.
Speaking at a press briefing on the sidelines of the Ukraine Recovery Conference, he also repeated his argument that Germany and Europe’s interests – on growth, free market economies, energy security and political freedom – are directly linked with supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russia.
Germany’s future is very closely linked to Ukraine’s future in this way.
Updated
Lithuanian leaders briefly evacuated after alarm over airspace violation from Belarus
Lithuania’s political leaders were briefly taken to shelters after alarm was raised over an unidentified object violating the country’s airspace from Belarus, Lithuanian media reported.
Media reports said that prime minister Gintautas Paluckas and parliament speaker Saulius Skvernelis were taken to safety as the situation was investigated. Lithuanian president Gitanas Nausėda is on a foreign trip in Ireland.
According to reports, authorities were worried that the flying object could be a Shahed drone of the type used by Russia in ongoing attacks on Ukraine.
The Lithuanian Army confirmed on its Facebook page that the object was detected at 11.30am local time. After its fighter jets were tasked with responding to the incident, the object quickly fell to the ground around a kilometer from the Lithuanian-Belarusian border.
After closer investigation, the object was confirmed as an unmanned makeshift plane – reportedly made of plywood and foam – and as not posing immediate danger.
But the head of the parliamentary defence committee, Giedrimas Jeglinskas, told Lithuanian media that a further investigation of the incident was needed to establish if it was a provocation from Belarus or Russia.
Updated
EU 'blind' on US intentions on tariffs deal
in Brussels
The EU and the US are no closer to announcing a deal after a phone call between EU trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič and the US trade representative Jamieson Greer, it has emerged.
The agreement in principle is expected to be a three page document outlining headline reductions in tariffs for cars, medical devices and possibly steel, in exchange for a baseline 10% import duty on all imports from the bloc and some simplification of paperwork on food imports.
Sources say the agreement is just waiting for Trump’s sign off and that did not happen last night so the call with Greer could never have delivered the deal.
It could yet come later today but the EU is blind on Trump’s announcement intentions.
The European Commission has the power to accept the deal as it is not legally binding as it is an agreement in principle, meaning there is no need for the type of show business moment granted to UK prime minister Keir Starmer when he took a call from Trump while visiting Jaguar Land Rover’s factory in England.
EU's von der Leyen survives no confidence vote in European Parliament
Elsewhere, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen easily survived the no confidence vote in the European parliament in Strasbourg, with 175 votes in favour, and 360 votes against. 18 MEPs abstained.
Russian attacks on Kyiv overnight - video
Ukraine’s first lady, Olena Zelenska, is up next, talking movingly about the human cost of the continuing Russian aggression.
She warns that “the aggressor has been shelling Ukraine with particular cruelty, night after night, and last night, unfortunately, was no exception.”
“When a building is destroyed, what remains is not only rubble … There are also hundreds of people living grief, relatives, friends and many, many more, living in anxiety, in fear, knowing they could be next.”
She stresses that the Ukrainian people should play a central role in any recovery plan, as she says: “A country without people is not a country, it’s a memorial.”
She quotes a study saying that “more than 80% of Ukrainians are living in a chronic state of stress and emotional pain,” talking about the need to offer mental health support.
Our consciences cannot rest while Putin attacks civilians in Ukraine, Poland's Tusk says
In his comments, Poland’s Tusk also highlights that “Ukraine is not only a country in need, but also a country that inspires, that teaches us courage, resilience … but also innovation,” as he points out to its work on drones and autonomous defence.
He says:
“Ukraine is testing all of them already today, and Nato is learning from Ukraine, and must do so even more in order to strengthen its deterrence.”
He ends with an appeal:
“Our consciences cannot rest while Putin attacks civilian civilians, night after night.
Ending this war must be our common cause.”
'This is war between civilisation and barbarism,' Poland's Tusk declares
Poland’s prime minister Donald Tusk is up next.
He says:
There will be no recovery without victory.
He says today’s meeting is about “how to help Ukraine not only to survive, but to win and to rise again – not only in material terms, but also spiritually and socially.”
He declares:
“Ukraine’s victory is a matter of security for the whole of Europe.
And victory means territorial integrity, sovereignty, and to put it simply, a just and lasting peace.”
Tusk says that “we all now understand that this is not a war just about Ukraine, but a war about Europe … or perhaps even about the world.”
“Fault lines are appearing across the whole globe.
This is a war between civilisation and barbarism.”
He then talks about the Polish support for Ukraine, including on transport, trade, and investment.
Updated
'Stay with us on this side of history,' Germany's Merz urges Trump
Merz also says he has a direct message for Washington DC and president Donald Trump, as he urges him to “stay with us, stay with the Europeans.”
“We are on the same page, and we are looking for a stable political order in this world. …
Stay with us, on this side and on this page of our common history.”
Germany's Merz calls out Slovakia for delaying 18th package of EU sanctions against Russia
Contining his speech, Germany’s Merz says that “the ultimate prerequisite for Ukraine’s recovery is, simply, peace.”
He warns that while Ukraine “is committed to achieving a just peace” and agreed to talks, Russia shows daily “that it wants to continue, every intensity, its brutal war of aggression.”
“This has to end,” he says.
He says “it remains our political duty to increase pressure on Russia to change president Putin’s calculations and bring [him] to the negotiating table.”
He then uses the speech to pointedly call out Slovakia and its prime minister, Robert Fico, as he urges him drop his opposition to the 18th package of sanctions against Ukraine.
The message is quite simple, we will not give up.
Germany 'fully supports' Ukraine's plans for EU accession, Merz declares
German chancellor Friedrich Merz is the next speaker and he starts by talking about the postwar recovery of Europe after the second world war.
He says:
“I don’t mean to draw any misleading historical comparisons, but some of the recipes that were applied back then can still serve us when we focus at Ukraine’s recovery today.”
He says Ukraine can count on strong international partners in the process, including Germany, highlighting its support to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund.
He says the Ukrainian Business Development Fund is modelled on Germany’s similar program after the second world war.
Merz also talks about Ukraine’s defence industry, with plans to take “the defence industrial cooperation between our countries to a higher level.”
The German chancellor then turns to Ukraine’s ambitions to join the EU and declares:
To be very clear on this, we fully support Ukraine on its path to EU membership.
Updated
Europe will be on Ukraine's side for 'as long as it takes,' von der Leyen says, as she says EU ready to open accession talks
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen opens her speech by saying Europe has been on Ukraine’s side from day one and “will be on your side for as long as it takes.”
She then talks about EU’s plans to rearm and invest in defence across the continent, including in partnership with non-member states like Ukraine.
She says the EU remains Ukraine’s largest donor, with almost €165bn of support this year alone. She announces further grants – of €1 and €3bn respectively – signed as part of today’s conference.
She then announces a new “flagship” fund for the reconstruction of Ukraine, which she says is the largest equity fund globally to support reconstruction, focusing on energy, transport, critical and raw materials, and dual use industries.
We are literally taking a stake in Ukraine’s future.
She says the EU is joined in the fund by Italy, Germany, France, Poland, and the European Investment Bank.
She then turns to Ukraine’s plans to join the EU, as she declares the commission is “ready to proceed with the next step on the accession path, to open cluster one” of accession negotiations.
“Now we have to act, to move forward for millions of Ukrainians, soldiers, teachers, doctors, farmers, you name it.
For Ukrainians from all walks of life, and for them, the future has two flags: the flag of Ukraine and the flag of Europe.”
€10bn contracts to be signed, Zelenskyy says, as he urges to 'keep pressure on Russia'
Zelenskyy says that “around 200 agreements are ready to be signed” at this conference, with the total value of over €10bn, as he singles out energy as a particular priority for the coming months.
Putin has only two real allies, terror and winter, and we must respond to both.
He adds:
“All of us must keep up the pressure on Russia. All of us must keep working for defence so that we can bring a real ceasefire as soon as possible.”
He ends:
Let’s do everything we can for real peace as soon as possible, just peace. Slava Ukraini.
Zelenskyy urges leaders to use frozen Russian assets to rebuild Ukraine
Zelenskyy says Ukraine needs a “Marshall plan-style” effort to guide its reconstruction. “We should develop it together,” he says.
He tells leaders that it’s not just charity, but investment:
“Rebuilding Ukraine is not just about our country. It’s also about your countries, your companies, technology, your jobs, the way we rebuild our country can also modernise your infrastructure and industries.”
He then says Europe should “clearly agree that frozen Russian assets should go towards Ukraine’s recovery.”
“Not only the income from these assets, but the assets themselves must be used and much more actively than they are now to help save lives.”
Zelenskyy also picks up Meloni’s earlier point (11:36) and says “only friends are invited to be a part of Ukraine’s economic and technological recovery,” and not “those who are helping Russia continuing this war.”
Zelenskyy talks about ramping up Ukraine's air defence, bringing abducted children back
Zelenskyy also repeatedly thanks partners for their help so far, saying it is thanks to their help it was able to start building a modern air force.
“We’ve done it in record time. No other country has switched from Soviet aircraft to F-16 and Mirages this quickly,” he says.
He also raises again the issue of Ukrainian children illegally abducted by Russia during the war.
“We must explore every possible way to bring our children back home to their families, to Ukraine, so they don’t forget who they are,” he says.
'Increase your investments when Russia increases attacks,' Zelenskyy says
Zelenskyy then calls out Russia’s claims it was ready for talks and false accusations that Ukraine was not willing to engage as “propaganda.”
Repeatedly referencing last night’s attacks on Ukraine and Kyiv, he says:
“Now everyone sees that Putin has rejected every peace proposal and is escalating the violence,” he says.
He talks about the need to step up Ukraine’s air defence systems, as he says:
I urge all our partners: increase your investments when Russia increases its attacks.
Daily Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities amount to 'terrorism,' Zelenskyy says
Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy is speaking next.
He thanks hosts and partners for supporting Ukraine.
But he then warns them:
“Russia has also prepared for this meeting. Just last night, they launched another massive attack on Ukraine, manly targeting our capital Kyiv.
Ukrainians now face attacks by hundreds, hundreds of these drones, every single night.
And this is pure terrorism.”
He explains:
“This is exactly what Putin wants, for our people to suffer, to flee Ukraine, and for homes, schools, for life itself to be destroyed everywhere, not just near the frontlines.”
Meloni calls out Russia for increasing attacks on Ukraine
Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni is up next.
After a few words of welcome in English, she too switches to Italian.
She says the high attendance with more than 70 national representations and thousands of companies and civil society representatives “shows … what kind of future we all together want for Ukraine and we are so convinced we will reach it.”
“We want to look beyond the unbearable justice that for more than three years has been inflicted on the Ukrainian people. And we now have to imagine Ukraine that is rebuilt, free and prosperous,” she says.
She then pointedly calls out Russia for “increasing its attacks” against civilians and civilian infrastructure, praising Ukrainian resilience against continuing attacks.
She says the event like today’s conference will also serve to make sure that people who helped the Russian war machine will not benefit from its reconstruction.
“Our task is to help Ukraine. We will do it, to rewrite this new chapter of its history,” she says.
Meloni says the participants of the conference will sign new contracts on funding Ukrainian recovery, with new agreements involving Italian firms such as energy company Enel and aerospace and defence company Leonardo.
She directly addresses European companies and tells them “do not be scared of investing in Ukraine” as she says “it is an investment … in a nation that has shown resilience, but also an investment in peace, and in the growth of Europe as a whole.”
“I’d like to think that this conference is going to be the starting point for the economic miracle of Ukraine.
We will build that miracle together with you.”
Ukraine Recovery Conference - live stream
You can follow the welcome speeches in our live stream below, but I will bring you all the key lines here.
We want to send clear message: Ukraine is not alone, Italian foreign minister says
Italian foreign minister Antonio Tajani is opening the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome now.
We want to host this event today and tomorrow, because we believe in Ukraine.
He adds:
This meeting is not only an economic meeting, we want to send a clear message: Ukraine is not alone.
We want to back your freedom, your independence.
He then turns to Italian and speaks about the importance of starting Ukraine’s recovery already during the war to support its critical infrastructure, including electricity grid stability.
Updated
Leaders arriving for Ukraine Recovery Conference
I am keeping an eye on the arrivals at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome.
In the next hour we should hear from the host, Giorgia Meloni, but also a long list of international guests, including Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, German chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Polish prime minister Donald Tusk.
There appears to be a slight delay to the proceedings and Meloni is only welcoming the international guests now – met with Tusk just seconds ago – but I will bring you the news lines as soon as they start.
Updated
Russian activity made 2024 'one of the most challenging in modern history,' Czech intelligence service says
As a result of increased Russian activity – including sabotage planning, attempted sanction evasion, state-backed cyber-attacks and disinformation – 2024 was “one of the most challenging in the modern history of the Czech Republic in terms of security,” the head of the country’s security services Michal Koudelka said.
In its annual report published today, the Security Information Service, or BIS, said Russia “continued in its attempts to restore broader espionage structures” under the diplomatic cover of its embassy in the Czech Republic.
In addition to its officers, the Russian intelligence services recruited other people, including a named Belarusian asylum seeker who was allegedly paid by the Russian GRU in cryptocurrency to publish pro-Russian propaganda.
The Czech agency also warned about the growing number of cases of people “with no direct connection to Russia” recruited from organised crime groups through online advertisement, particularly on Telegram, which is dubbed “Telegram agents.”
It noted that Russian recruiters particularly targeted poorer economic migrants from outside the EU, and added that Russian intelligence services often used further intermediaries in the process, so the person hired for the job may not even be aware of the Russian involvement.
The report said such people were usually tasked with a wide range of activities, including “transporting people or packages, photographing and filming sensitive objects … to arson attacks.”
It particularly referenced last year’s arson attack at Prague’s Klíčov bus depot, which it said was carried out by a Colombian citizen who was offered money through internet.
The report also mentioned some hostile activity from China, including attempts to “find sympathisers who would promote China’s interests, suppress Czech-Taiwanese cooperation, and [act to] not raise the issue of human rights in China.”
EU's von der Leyen faces vote of no confidence
Separately, we will be looking at the vote of no confidence in Ursula von der Leyen’s European Commission in Strasbourg.
Our Brussels correspondent Jennifer Rankin wrote this explainer on what’s at stake.
Here is what she says:
Von der Leyen is expected to comfortably survive a vote on Thursday on the censure motion, which in theory could trigger the downfall of her commission.
While her survival is considered a certainty, the debate has lifted the lid on simmering discontent among centrist, centre-left and green MEPs who voted her back into office just under one year ago, after elections that gave rightwing nationalists their best-ever results.
But behind the scenes, her officials are worried that a large number of no-shows and abstentions from mainstream groups could damage her standing in the vote.
Morning opening: Ukraine accuses Russia of 'escalating terror'
Russia launched around 400 drones and 18 missiles against Ukraine overnight, with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy saying the recent attacks mark “a clear escalation of terror” by Moscow.
He said:
“Hundreds of ‘shaheds’ every night, constant strikes, and massive attacks on Ukrainian cities.
This demands that we speed things up.
Sanctions must be imposed faster, and pressure on Russia must be strong enough that they truly feel the consequences of their terror.”
The attack comes just hours before Zelenskyy meets with international parts at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome and talks to allies in the Coalition of the Willing.
In an early morning post, he said the talks will focus on "additional funding for the production of interceptor drones and the supply of air defence systems for Ukraine.”
“The objectives are absolutely clear. Such Russian attacks must be met with a tough response. And that is exactly what we will deliver.”
It’s Thursday, 10 July 2025, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.
Good morning.
