Closing summary
… and on that note, it’s a wrap!
US president Donald Trump said Zelenskyy will “have to get going and make a deal” to end the Russian invasion of Ukraine as he ramped up pressure on the EU and Nato countries to “stop buying oil from Russia” (15:51, 15:54, 16:05).
Speaking with reporters before his trip to the UK, Trump said he was hoping for a “nice” visit and he expected to be involved in talks on trade, among others (15:47).
Separately,
Spain’s national broadcaster RTVE announced its plans to withdraw from the 2026 Eurovision song contest if Israel takes part in the event (13:03), the first of the so-called “Big Five” countries to do so (14:23).
The decision comes a day after Spanish culture minister Ernest Urtasun suggested such a move, and shortly after a group of pro-Palestinian protesters disrupted the final stage of the Vuelta a Espana cycling race in Madrid (13:24)
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.
Putin says 100,000 soldiers take part in Russian-Belarusian military drills
Russian president Vladimir Putin said 100,000 troops were participating in the Zapad joint drills with Belarus, during a surprise visit to the exercise, part of which took place close to Nato borders, AFP reported.
“Today we are conducting the final part of the Zapad 2025 strategic exercise,” said Putin, wearing military uniform, adding: “100,000 servicemen are taking part.”
Poland faces new questions over drone incursion response
Poland’s government faces new questions about its response to last week’s Russian drones incursion, amid media reports that a house in the village of Wyryki damaged that night may have been hit not by a Russian drone, but by a missile launched from a Polish fighter jet sent to intercept it.
The report, first published by Rzeczpospolita daily and later confirmed by Onet, included a suggestion that the missile’s targeting system malfunctioned on launch, but its in-built safety system prevented it from arming and exploding.
Today’s media claims prompted the National Security Bureau, reporting to the opposition-aligned president Karol Nawrocki, to urge the government to “immediately clarify” what happened.
The government’s response focused on stressing Russia’s overall responsibility for the attack, which triggered the military reaction, without focusing on the details or confirming the reporting.
Poland’s Donald Tusk did not take questions from reporters when he appeared at a media briefing announcing plans on submarine procurement earlier today, but he responded to media reports on X, saying:
“All responsibility for the damage to the house in Wyryki falls on the authors of the drone provocation, that is, Russia. The appropriate services will inform the public, the government, and the president about all the circumstances of the incident after the proceedings are completed.”
He added:
“Hands off Polish soldiers.”
Poland’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister Radosław Sikorski said:
“My definition of a Russian sockpuppet is someone who tries to remove responsibility from Russia for the consequences of the drone provocation against Poland.”
Poland’s deputy foreign minister Marcin Bosacki, who represented Poland at the UN security council meeting on the incident last week, said:
“All responsibility for the losses resulting from the Russian provocation of sending 19 military drones into Poland falls on Russia – whether the damage was caused by the drones or by the missiles intercepting them, used IN DEFENCE by Polish and allied armed forces.”
The Polish ministry of defence issued only a brief statement saying that “the relevant state authorities are conducting a full investigation into the events following Russia’s aggression.”
“However, it is already clear today that Russia is responsible for the provocation and its consequences,” it said.
It later added:
“Regardless of the final conclusions of the state authorities, the destroyed house in the town of Wyryki will be rebuilt at the state’s expense.”
In its statement, the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces sidestepped the question about what happened, insisting instead that it provided the relevant authorities with “all available information, without any omissions.”
EU's aid programme meant to help least developed countries 'lacks operational objectives', will miss target, report says
The EU’s aid programme designed to help lift the economies of the least developed countries in the world “lacks operational objectives” and will fail to meet its 2030 target, the official EU financial watchdog has concluded.
The European Court of Auditors said that the goal of spending 25% of the aid budget on “aid for trade” programme “is unlikely to be achieved” with a “disconnect” between pledges made in Brussels and what happens on the ground.
Some 32 of the world’s 44 least developed countries (LDC) are in Africa, with Haiti, the only one categorised as such in the Caribbean are with eight countries in Asia including Cambodia and two in the Pacific classed as LDCs.
An in depth investigation by the court of auditors published today looked at Rwanda, Malawi, Angola and Cambodia.
It found simple issues had arisen inhibiting its efficacy including training of public servants rather than business people.
In Malawi, the EU found that a programme it had backed for farmers and small businesses was not backed by local banks involved. Instead they “only gave loans to big clients they had already worked with”.
Between 2017 and 2022 the EU and its member states allocated €17.2bn through the Aid for Trade programme to the world’s least developed countries, “a fraction of the overall €105.8bn sent to other developing countries”, the court of auditors said.
It also pointed out that the share received by the least developed countries declined from 18% of the Aid for Trade programme, to just 12% in 2022.
Trump's agenda during state visit to Britain
Here is what’s on Trump’s agenda during his visit to Britain.
Updated
Trump departs for Britain
And that’s all for his pre-departure comments.
Trump is now on his way to the UK.
Russian oil purchases by EU, Nato countries 'got to stop immediately,' Trump says
Asked if he will put more pressure on EU and Nato, Trump said “the problem” was “they are purchasing Russian oil.”
“I don’t want them purchasing Russian oil, and they’ve got to stop immediately. Not fair to us. They’re purchasing Russian oil, and we have to do things.”
He then makes an argument about the US making money as “they are buying everything from US; unlike Biden, who gave away $350bn, we actually make money.”
“But I don’t want to make money. You know what I want? I want that war to stop,” he says.
Later responding to a question from a Ukrainian journalist, Trump added he “loves Ukraine,” but conceded “it is in serious trouble.”
“It should have never happened. It’s a war that should have never happened. The country is in very serious trouble. But I’m going to get it stopped,” he says.
He then said:
“I’ve stopped seven wars in the last eight months. I thought that would have been the easiest, because I know Putin, but it’s not, because there’s tremendous hatred between Zelenskyy … and Putin, but we’re going to get it stopped.”
Updated
Zelenskyy will 'have to get going and make deal,' Trump says, as he ramps up pressure on Europe to stop buying oil from Russia
Trump also said that Zelenskyy will “have to get going and make a deal” to end the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“He’s going to have to make a deal; Zelenskyy is going to have to make a deal, and Europe has to stop buying oil from Russia.
Okay? You know, they talk, but they have to stop buying oil from Russia.”
'Takes two to tango,' Trump says in comments on lack of progress with Putin on Ukraine
On Putin, Trump said:
“It takes two to tango. Those are two people, Zelenskyy and Putin, that hate each other, and it looks like I have to sit in the room with them, because they can’t sit in a room together. There’s great hatred there.”
He then defended his Alaska summit in Putin, claiming without offering any evidence to back this up: “That meeting accomplished a lot.”
'It's going to be nice,' Trump says on UK trip and hints at talks on trade
On visiting the UK, Trump said:
“Well, my relationship is very good with the UK, and Charles, as you know, who’s now King, is my friend, and it’s the first time this has ever happened, where somebody was honoured twice so it’s a great honour.
This one’s at Windsor they’ve never used Windsor Castle for this before they use the Buckingham Palace. I don’t want to say one is better than the other but they say Windsor Castle is the ultimate [one], right, so it’s going to be nice.”
He then continued to say that “they want to see if they can refine the trade deal,” adding he’s “into helping them.”
Updated
US president Donald Trump is due to leave shortly for the UK state visit.
I will bring you his pre-departure comments as soon we get them.
Russian strikes on Ukraine overnight — video
Spain first of Eurovision ‘big five’ to decide on boycott if Israel participates — full story
And just briefly coming back to the Spanish decision on boycotting Eurovision if Israel takes part …
Here’s the full story by Sam Jones in Madrid and Lisa O’Carroll in London.
“It makes Spain the first of the “big five” Eurovision countries that make the largest financial contributions to the event – the others are France, Germany, Italy, and the UK – to take such action in response to Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
The decision was made on the same day as a UN commission of inquiry concluded that Israel was committing genocide in Gaza.
There had already been similar decisions over Eurovision from Slovenia, Ireland and the Netherlands.”
I will keep an eye out for any reactions – political or otherwise – and bring you the key lines here.
Italy would not be ready 'for a Russian attack,' defence minister admits
in Rome
Meanwhile, Italy’s defence minister, Guido Crosetto, said Italy would not be ready “for a Russian attack” as tensions between Russia and Nato escalate following drone incursions.
Speaking to reporters in Rome, Crosetto said Italy would not be equipped for a military attack, blaming two decades of underinvestment in defence.
“We are not ready for either a Russian attack or an attack by another nation,” he added. “I’ve been saying this for a long time. I think it’s our job to put this country in a position to defend itself if a madman decides to attack us – I don’t just mean Putin, I mean anyone”.
Italy, along with other Nato countries, has agreed to significantly increase defence spending over the next decade, even if the policy is extremely unpopular among Italians.
In 2024, Italy’s defence spending was just 1.5% of output – at the lower end of the 32 Nato members. The country has committed to increasing this to 5% by 2035. Giorgia Meloni’s government has come up with creative accounting methods to cover the expense, including defining infrastructure projects, for example a controversial €13.5bn bridge linking mainland Italy with Sicily, as military expenditure.
Crosetto estimates it will take at least six years, until 2031, to build an autonomous air defence system.
Crosetto’s comments triggered criticism from Matteo Salvini, deputy prime minister and a longtime supporter of the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, who said Italy needed to defend itself against migrants and not Russia.
Updated
For context, the RTVE’s decision comes a day after Spanish culture minister Ernest Urtasun suggested such a move, and shortly after a group of pro-Palestinian protesters disrupted the final stage of the Vuelta a Espana cycling race in Madrid.
“We have to ensure that Israel does not take part in the next edition of Eurovision. Just as Ireland, Slovenia, Iceland and also the Netherlands have already done, if we do not succeed in expelling Israel, Spain should not participate,” Urtasun told Spanish public radio yesterday (Europe Live, Monday).
Spain says it will quit 2026 Eurovision song contest if Israel takes part
Spanish broadcaster RTVE has voted on a motion to withdraw from the 2026 Eurovision song contest if Israel takes part in the event.
The motion was passed by a majority of votes on the broadcaster’s governing body, with ten votes in favour, four against, and one abstention, RTVE said in a statement.
It noted it was the first of the so-called Big Five – France, Germany and Spain, Italy, and the UK – to make such decision, after other countries – including Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands and Slovenia – also signalled similar plans.
RTVE said the decision will “put more pressure” on the European Broadcasting Union’s general assembly in early December which is expected to make a decision on Israel’s participation in the event.
Updated
No delay on Russia sanctions, with discussions 'ongoing', EU spokesperson insists
The commission’s chief spokesperson also denied that there is a delay on the latest round of sanctions on Russia.
“We did see reports about the delay, but the fact is that we never announced a concrete date, so we don’t see any delay, right? Discussions are ongoing in order to have a solid package to be put forward as soon as it is ready,” Pinho said.
Earlier on Tuesday, EU officials briefed reporters, including from Politico and Reuters, that there will be a delay in presenting the new package, which had been expected to be presented on Wednesday.
EU will adopt new sanctions against Israel tomorrow
EU commissioners will on Wednesday agree to impose new sanctions against Israel over its war in Gaza, a spokesperson for the commission said on Tuesday.
“Tomorrow, commissioners will be adopting a package of measures on Israel,” spokesperson Paula Pinho said, as reported by Reuters.
“Specifically, a proposal to suspend certain trade provisions in the agreements between the EU and Israel.”
EU foreign affairs spokesperson Anouar El Anouni warned that the military intervention will lead “to more destruction, more death, more displacement” and “will aggravate an already catastrophic humanitarian situation.”
Updated
Germany, Sweden criticise Israeli ground assault on Gaza City
Elsewhere, German and Swedish foreign ministers criticised Israel’s move on Gaza City, with Johann Wadephul calling it “completely wrong” and calling for urgent talks on a ceasefire and hostage release instead.
“The renewed offensive towards Gaza City is... the completely wrong path,” he said at a press conference with his Swedish counterpart, Maria Malmer Stenergard.
Stenergard was also critical of the move, saying:
“We, from the Swedish side, are extremely worried, and we have been very clear from the very beginning when these plans were presented that any change by force of territory would be a breach of international law, and we are extremely worried about the situation in Gaza.”
Commenting on the UN findings today that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, she said:
“We do have an obligation to stop and prevent genocide from happening, and that is why Sweden is one of the biggest providers of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
That is why we want to put more pressure on the Israeli government, for instance by stopping the trade part of the Association Agreement, or also putting sanctions on extremist ministers in the Israeli government.
Ukrainian man tried for alleged Nord Stream sabotage ordered to be extradited to Germany
A Ukrainian arrested in Italy last month over the 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines from Russia to Europe must be extradited to Germany, a court in Bologna ruled.
The man, identified as Serhii K, has denied being part of a cell which placed explosives on the pipeline and will appeal against the extradition ruling at Italy’s supreme court, his lawyer Nicola Canestrini told AFP.
'If you've got drones putting Polish lives at risk, Nato will ... take them out,' UK defence secretary says
Defence and security editor
John Healey, the UK defence secretary, said Nato was “responding with unity and strength” to the threats and that Typhoons would be ready to attack Russian drones flying over Nato countries if required to do so.
“If you’ve got drones that are putting Polish lives at risk, then Nato will take the action to take them out,” Healey said, adding the Typhoons were part of a broader mission “to defend Nato airspace”.
Over the weekend, Romania became the second Nato ally in eastern Europe to detect a Russian drone crossing into its airspace in a week – and Healey said the Typhoons mission would extend operations to the country if deemed necessary.
He said: “They are deployed as part of the Nato Eastern Sentry air policing. What Nato decides to and where it decides to deploy them will be for Nato. That’s part of our contribution to the alliance.”
There was no further update on whether the UK believed that the Russian drone incursion into Poland was deliberate.
Healey said: “There’s no firm confirmation on intent, but in the end that’s not the point. It’s still reckless, it’s still dangerous.” It was, he added, “straight out of the [Vladimir] Putin playbook”.
Back to Ukraine, the UK has announced last night that RAF Typhoon jets will be deployed within days to shoot down drones over Poland and other Nato allies in eastern Europe if necessary.
The move comes just days after last week’s incursion of 19 uncrewed Russian aircraft into Poland.
Our defence and security editor Dan Sabbagh has the details on how the operation will work.
'For Europe's survival, we must do what has not been done before,' EU's Draghi says
Summing up his speech, Draghi says that “in substance, the more reforms, and this is a point I made some times, the more we push [for] reforms, the more private capital will step up and the less public money we will need.”
“Of course, this path will break longstanding taboos, but the rest of the world has already broken theirs. For Europe’s survival, we must do what has not been done before, and refuse to be held back by self imposed limits,” he says.
He stresses the EU needs to “move beyond broad strategies and back-loaded timelines,” and need “concrete dates and deliverables.”
“European citizens are asking that their leaders raise their eyes from their daily concerns towards their common European destiny and grasp the scale of the challenge.
Only unity of intent and urgency of response will show that they are ready to meet extraordinary times with extraordinary action.”
EU seen by companies as 'failing to match the speed of change elsewhere,' Draghi says as he urges EU to move faster on competitiveness
Well, Mario Draghi – of the Draghi report – is speaking now and he is not exactly as positive as von der Leyen.
He talks about the need for the EU to move faster, be more agile, and match the pace of change elsewhere.
He says that having his plan means that “Europe’s citizens and companies value the diagnosis, the clear priorities and the action plans, but they also express growing frustration” with the pace of change.
“They are disappointed by how slowly the EU moves. They see us failing to match the speed of change elsewhere. They are ready to act, but fear governments have not grasped the gravity of the moment,” he says.
He adds that “too often, excuses are made for our slowness,” with some portraying it as the EU’s strength or respect for the rule of law.
“I think that’s complacency. Competitors in US and China are far less constrained even when acting within the law. To carry on as usual is to resign ourselves to falling behind,” he warns.
“A different path demands new speed, scale and intensity. It means acting together, not fragmenting our efforts. It means focusing resources where impact is greatest. It means delivering results within months, not years,” he argues.
On AI, he also strikes a more cautions tone, saying that it “depends on the orchestration of at least four other technologies” in cloud, supercomputing, cybersecurity and fibre satellites.
He says that Europe is falling behind the US and China on large foundation models, and sees lower AI adoption.
He stresses that “more ambition is needed” to “remove barriers to scaling up new technologies,” as he calls for more support from member states to move faster.
Draghi also takes about the AI Act being “another source of uncertainty,” suggesting that the next stage of codes of practice on high risk AI systems should be “paused until we better understand the drawbacks” as he called for “ex post” assessment to drive enforcement.
On industrial policies needed to respond to the rise of economic nationalism and protectionism, he says:
“States are using every tool at their disposal to advance their interests. So far, Europe’s response has fallen into two traps, uncoordinated national efforts or blind faith that market force will build new structures. The first can never deliver scale. The second is impossible when others distort markets and tilt the level playing field.”
Ouch, ouch, ouch.
EU's von der Leyen praises bloc's progress on competitiveness
As I mentioned earlier, the EU’s von der Leyen is speaking now in Brussels on “one year after the Draghi report.”
Painting a rather rosy picture, she argues that Europe “is not only a challenger, but a leader in many fields that will define that race” on innovation, including computing power and AI adoption.
She insists that Europe “is not playing catch up” like it was during the rise of the Internet, but is “among the frontrunners.”
But on a slightly more critical tone, she says that Europe “needs to capitalise on our strengths” as she pointed out that the bloc’s “single market is far from being completed” and this needs to change to help companies grow.
“It should not be easier to find a fortune across an ocean than across a European border, and we have started to address these barriers,” she says, stressing plans to progress reforms by 2028.
She also talks about the progress on cleaner energy, even as she admits that “our energy prices remain still far too high, too volatile, too disparate across Europe” with more to be done on interconnectors and grids across the continent.
Von der Leyen also talks about the need to reduce Europe’s dependencies, particularly on China. “With the right policies, we can shore up our security,” she says.
I’ll keep monitoring her speech for key lines.
More than 3,500 drones launched at Ukraine this month, Zelenskyy says
Ukraine’s Zelenskyy said that Russia has launched more than 3,500 drones and nearly 190 missiles against Ukraine so far this month.
“There have also been provocations against our partners,” he said on X, refering to recent Russian drone incursions into Poland and Romania.
“This is precisely the kind of aerial terror against which Ukraine is calling for joint defence – so that no one has to scramble combat aircraft in haste and feel Russia’s pressure on their borders.”
He added:
“Now is the time to implement the joint protection of our European skies with a multi-layered air defense system.
All the technologies for this are already in place. What is needed are investments and determination – strong action.”
Zelenskyy also offered an update on overnight attacks on Zaporizhzhia, which he said injured 13, including two children. In the Mykolaiv region, one person was killed after a strike on what he called “an ordinary farm.”
Morning opening: Welcome back to Europe, Mr Trump
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for US president Donald Trump to take “a clear position” on Russia, including sanctions and security guarantees for Ukraine.
In an interview with Sky News, published overnight, he said it was the missing piece to progress peace talks as he urged Trump to take “strong personal steps” to “stop Putin.”
He stressed that he hoped UK prime minister Keir Starmer could gain more clarity from Trump during his state visit to the UK, beginning tonight.
We may hear from Trump himself later as he makes his way to London.
Separately, US state secretary Marco Rubio told reporters in Israel that Trump would “probably” meet with Zelenskyy again during next week’s UN general assembly in New York.
“He’s going to keep trying. If peace is possible, he wants to achieve it,” Rubio said.
Elsewhere, the EU will be looking at the progress it’s made on competitiveness, a year on from the Draghi report that became an obligatory point of reference in all discussions on the bloc’s economy. EU’s Ursula von der Leyen and the man himself are up shortly.
It’s Tuesday, 16 September 2025, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.
Good morning.
