Closing summary
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EU sanctions nine people, four entities over Russian cyber espionage. The issue issued new sanctions over Russia’s “malicious cyber ecosystem targeting the EU, its member states and international partners”.
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UK sanctions 24 individuals and entities behind Russia’s destructive hybrid operations. The UK also updated its sanctions for those behind these operations, including an attempt to disrupt Poland’s electricity grid last year.
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Leaders arrive for Ukraine talks in Paris. British prime minister Keir Starmer, Nato secretary general Mark Rutte, Polish prime minister Donald Tusk and Denmark’s Mette Frederiksen were all present in Paris.
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Hungary MPs pass constitutional tweak to oust Orban-allied president. New prime minister Péter Magyar accused president Tamas Sulyok of being a “puppet” of hardline ex-leader Viktor Orbán.
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Russian anti-war politician summoned to court ahead of elections. Boris Nadezhdin, 63, was detained by police on Monday and ordered to stand before a court on Friday on “demonstration of extremist symbols” charges after planning to take part in the upcoming elections.
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UK joins 90bn EU loan to cover Ukraine’s defence. Prime minister Keir Starmer has announced a £78m loan to cover Kyiv’s most urgent defence and budgetary needs in 2026.
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Ukraine orders fighter jets and licence to produce French missiles, Macron says. Ukraine has acquired new French-made air defence systems, including 16 Rafale fighter jets.
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Ukraine orders fighter jets and licence to produce French missiles, Macron says
Ukraine has acquired new French-made air defence systems, including 16 Rafale fighter jets, the first of which are due to “take to the skies” by 2028-2029, according to president Emmanuel Macron.
Speaking alongside Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Macron said Ukraine’s allies had agreed to begin military exercises in neighbouring countries as part of a multinational force.
This announcement marked the first time France has agreed to licence production to Ukraine, in a move that would allow it to ramp up stocks.
Macron also said radar systems were also being ceded to Ukraine.
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The delayed presser has finally begun. We aim to bring you main lines as soon as they come in.
The UK has announced a new package of sanctions targeting Russian cyber networks, which it blamed for trying to sow division across Europe.
In a statement published on Monday, the government said: “Today’s action targets 24 individuals and entities behind the destructive cyber and hybrid operations including cybercriminals involved in proxy networks linked to the Russian Intelligence Services,”
“This includes sanctioning GRU senior leadership figures Vyacheslav Stafeyev, Ivan Senin and Ivan Kasyanenko for their role in directing GRU cyber and hybrid threat operations.”
The British government announced the sanctions coordination with the EU’s sanctions against nine people and four entities over Russian cyber espionage.
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Russian anti-war politician summoned to court ahead of elections
Russian police issued a court summons to an anti-war Kremlin critic who planned to take part in the upcoming parliamentary elections.
Boris Nadezhdin, 63, was detained by police on Monday and has been ordered to appear before a court on Friday to stand trial on “demonstration of extremist symbols” charges for a 2023 video which featured a photo of the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
If found guilty, Nadezhdin would not be able to run in the elections, according to his lawyer Dmitry Trunin.
Nadezhdin is one of the few Kremlin critics who is not in prison or exile. He once tried to run against president Vladimir Putin, but was barred from doing so after a short campaign.
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Ukrainian PM Yulia Syvrydenko has submitted her resignation, parliament speaker says
The chamber’s speaker, Ruslan Stefanchuk, wrote on X: “Parliament will consider this matter in the near future in accordance with the established procedure.”
The parliamentary procedure to set up a new government could begin as soon as Tuesday.
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British couple confirmed to have been killed by deadly wildfires in Spain
Peter and Fran Gillam, who lived in Bédar, the village that bore the brunt of the wildfires on Thursday, are believed to have not survived.
The wildfires have killed 13 people in Spain, with authorities using DNA to identify those who did not manage to escape the blaze. The full report can be found here.
Hungary MPs pass constitutional tweak to oust Orban-allied president
The Hungarian parliament passed a constitutional revision to oust the country’s president, whom new prime minster Péter Magyar accuses of being a “puppet” of hardline ex-leader Viktor Orbán.
Legislators from Magyar’s party, Tisza, broke into a half-minute-longstanding ovation after voting to eject president Tamas Sulyok from office in a ballot boycotted by Orban’s nationalist Fidesz party.
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UK joins €90bn EU loan to cover Ukraine's defence
Sir Keir Starmer has announced that the UK will join the EU’s €90bn (£78m) loan to cover Kyiv’s most urgent defence and budgetary needs in 2026 and 2027. Two-thirds of the total will be allocated to military spending.
The prime minister said British firms would be able to bid for contracts funded by the EU’s Ukraine Support Loan as he held talks with the “coalition of the willing” in Paris on Monday.
He said: “This agreement will help ensure Ukraine gets the support it needs to defend itself against Russian aggression, while backing British defence companies, supporting skilled jobs and strengthening our national security.”
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Ukraine’s Zelenskyy offered a bit of detail on the meeting of the anti-ballistic missile coalition and his talks with France’s Macron.
In a post on X, he said:
“As always, @EmmanuelMacron and I are closely coordinating our positions. We had a productive meeting and discussed priorities ahead of the meetings of the Anti-Ballistic Coalition and the Coalition of the Willing, as well as our bilateral cooperation.
Relations between our countries have reached a truly strategic level, due in large part to President Macron’s personal efforts. Today, I thanked Emmanuel for his assistance and support throughout these years and awarded the Order of Freedom to the President, a true friend of Ukraine.
We spoke in detail about the situation on the front and Ukraine’s needs in protecting people from Russian attacks. It is important to strengthen Ukraine, reinforce our air defenses, and accelerate the development of Europe’s anti-ballistic capabilities. France has precisely the capabilities and advanced technologies needed to help. We will work on this together with our allies. Thank you, France. Thank you, Emmanuel!”
Earlier today, Ukraine and nine European countries have announced plans to form a coalition to protect Europe from ballistic missiles during their meeting before the main Coalition of the Willing summit.
It’s Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, and the UK.
Leaders arrive for Ukraine talks in Paris
Let’s bring you more pictures from the red carpet in Paris, as leaders arrive for the meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, hosted by France’s Emmanuel Macron.
Kallas gets asked about the expected timing on the 21st round of sanctions, which were expected by Wednesday morning to have an impact on the oil price cap.
She says there is a meeting on Wednesday morning, and “the work is going on.”
“What is my wish is that this package is strong, because really the continuing attacks on civilians really targeting the most populated areas [on Ukraine].”
Pushed on the oil price cap, she says she cannot single out any element of the package; nothing is agreed until everything is agreed.
And that ends the press conference.
Kallas gets a bit of a hard ball from one of the journalists asking her why is the EU so reluctant to adopt tougher sanctions, including on fishing and visas for ex Russian soldiers. You used to blame Hungary’s Viktor Orbán for it, but it looks like he is not the only problem, he says.
She begins by joking that before taking this job, she had no idea that fishing is so political.
She says that the EU’s proposals are “as strong as possible,” and always get adjusted through political discussions with all countries, and that is to be expected.
She says that “maybe the political consensus is somewhere else, and we see also elections coming,” which makes leaders more wary of making tough decisions.
But she insists that the EU still need to do whatever it can to “increase the pressure” on Russia and get it to a negotiating table.”
“We have this opportunity window right now, considering that. that Ukraine is in a stronger position than they have been, and Russia is in a weaker position than they have been before, and we need to really take this short-term pain for a long-term gain.”
Kallas says she “regrets” there is no agreement on the 21st package of sanctions today, “although I must say that we are quite close.”
She says the focus is on figuring out what will have the biggest impact, but acknowledging the impact its having on other countries too.
“So today also we had these intense discussions, and the call was to really focus on this war, what we are trying to do with putting more pressure on Russia.”
Kallas also talks about Gaza, where “the peace process has stalled.”
She says the Palestine donor group today raised €900m, which includes the EU as the largest donor.
She adds that “all the 27 member states agree that Israeli settlements [in West Bank] are illegal under international law.”
She lists some available options of sanctions, with a suggestion of “taking action against trade with the settlements,” which is to be developed further.
Let’s see what comes up in the Q&A.
Kallas also briefly spoke about Iran, saying that Iran strikes on commercial shipping violate international law and the memorandum of understanding.
“Before the war, the Strait of Hormuz was open to shipping without tolls. After the end of the war, the Strait must be open to shipping without tolls. Ministers were clear that navigation must be unimpeded, and Iran must never have a nuclear weapon.”
She may have not seen the latest social media posts from Trump on this.
EU condemns IOC's decision to allow Russian to compete at Olympics
EU’s foreign policy chief Kallas also strongly criticised the International Olympic Committee’s decision to allow Russian athletes back to international competitions.
She says the call is “blind to reality,” as it “coincides wth Russia killing a record number of Ukrainian civilians.”
“It looks like International Olympic Committee is rewarding such attacks,” she says.
Kallas says that the leaders “discussed the battlefield situation and strengthening Ukraine’s energy resilience,” as Russia is expected to strike Ukraine’s power grid again this coming winter.
She also says “air defence also remains a priority,” as she urged member states to make their stocks available to Kyiv.
Kallas also says “we are sanctioning Russia at unprecedented speed and scale,” as today’s measures and the upcoming 21st sanctions package will include 250 listings.
“This constitutes our biggest round of individual sanctions since Russia’s 2022 invasion,” she says.
She also mentions the sanctions imposed in response to Russia’s cybersecurity activity (10:38).
Over in Brussels, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas is briefing reporters after today’s foreign affairs council.
I will bring you all the key lines here.
Not much to report from the red carpet in Paris.
So far the most exciting thing that happened is that Albania’s Edi Rama is not wearing his trademark white sneakers, but smart black shoes instead.
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First delegations are about to start arriving for the Coalition of the Willing’s meeting at Les Invalides in Paris, with France’s foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot positioned outside as part of the welcome party.
Emmanuel Macron has just joined them at the entrance, too.
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Nato condemns Russia's 'malicious cyber activities' and says its activity poses threat to security
Meanwhile, Nato has joined in condemnations of Russia’s “malicious cyber activities,” saying it continues to pose a threat to Allied security.
In a statement, Nato said:
“We stand in unity and solidarity with all Allies affected by Russia’s malicious cyber activities targeting critical national infrastructure and government entities. In this context, we take note of the statements by the UK and the EU denouncing these activities and Russia’s links to cyber criminals, as well as the sanctions imposed on individuals and entities that aid and abet Russia’s malicious cyber activities.”
It added:
“We call on Russia to stop these destabilising activities, which disregard agreed international norms of responsible state behaviour in cyberspace. Nato stands for a free, open, peaceful and secure cyberspace.”
And the first meeting – a discussion on Ukraine’s anti-ballistic missile strategy, as mentioned by Zelenskyy earlier this afternoon (13:55) – is now under way in Paris.
Zelenskyy arrives for meeting with Macron in Paris ahead of Coalition of Willing summit
We now have first pictures from Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s arrival in Paris as he is meeting with France’s Emmanuel Macron before holding talks on Ukraine’s anti-ballistic programme, and talking to other leaders from the Coalition of the Willing.
'We can and will do more,' European Commission president says on help for Ukraine
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen is in Paris for the meeting of the Coalition of the Willing.
“Ukraine has built strong military momentum. The tide is turning. The EU is fully playing its part with our €90 billion Loan.
Today, we will also discuss how to protect Ukraine’s skies from Russian drones and ballistic missiles. We can and will do more.”
Zelenskyy’s visit to Paris comes after an unexpected reshuffle in the Ukrainian government yesterday, with Yulia Svyrydenko stepping down on Sunday as Ukraine’s prime minister amid predictions she would become Kyiv’s ambassador to the US.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine was “changing its political strategy” and he had offered Svyrydenko the opportunity to lead “a new, important area” in Ukraine’s relations with a key international partner.
Ukraine to present its anti-ballistic programme at Paris meeting today, Zelenskyy says
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived in Paris for today’s talks with the Coalition of the Willing.
In a brief update on X, he says the meeting “can open up significantly greater opportunities for Ukraine to strengthen its defenses.”
“Our top priority is anti-ballistic defence. We will present our Anti-Ballistic Programme to our partners and, for the first time, hold a meeting at the level of leaders, national security advisors, and defense companies from countries that can make a concrete contribution to building a new anti-ballistic system.”
“We will thank France for its historic support, and our service members will take part in the parade marking France’s national holiday – Bastille Day. We thank everyone who stands with Ukraine,” he said.
The Ukrainian first lady, Olena Zelenska, will meet with the new director-general of Unesco to talk about its work with Ukraine.
Away from Macron’s comments on Armed Force and his Ukraine meeting later today, the French media are also focusing on a fire raging in the historic and much-visited Fontainebleau forest south of Paris.
Earlier today, the fire prompted evacuations of some residential neighbourhoods and disrupted train and highway traffic, AP reported.
Two water-dumping planes were deployed over the area along with hundreds of firefighters, regional fire service spokesperson Paul Laurain told public broadcaster France-Info.
France is experiencing the peak of its third heatwave of the summer, with temperatures surpassing 40C across western and central areas and up to 37C in Paris.
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'Ready to fight to defend' our values, Macron says, as he delivers speech to French armed forces
Over in Paris, French president Emmanuel Macron is delivering a major speech to the country’s armed forces, as is customary on the eve of Bastille Day parade.
He speaks about France’s effort to strengthen its military, including through joint procurement and partnerships with EU allies, to get ready for whatever may come in the future.
“Yes, we must prepare for the wars to come. But let us not be mistaken: our ability to wage them will depend on our credibility today. It is today’s wars that we must win,” he says, drawing among other on the support for Ukraine and supporting partners in the Middle East.
In a passage paying tribute to all those who died serving France, he says:
“The message we send to the world is this: Yes, peace is our goal. Yes, we cherish freedom and justice. And yes, we stand ready to fight to defend them always, even at the cost of our blood if necessary.”
Macron also warns against rising nationalism, contrasting it with healthy patriotism, Le Figaro reported.
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'Technological humiliation of the Russian empire continues,' Ukrainian drone chief says, as Sea of Azov shipping is restricted
in Kyiv
Meanwhile, Russia has been forced to suspend shipping in the Sea of Azov after 90 vessels were targeted by Ukrainian drones in less than a week.
Ukraine’s drone forces chief, Robert Brovdi, said on Sunday that his units had hit 10 tankers and four ferries overnight, as well as a major oil refinery in the city of Syzran. There had been several strikes on electricity substations in occupied Crimea, he added.
“The technological humiliation of the [Russian] empire continues. It will fall because of Crimea,” Brovdi wrote on social media. He said Moscow’s shadow fleet, which transports sanctioned oil products around the world, was “noticeably shrinking” and could no longer use the Kerch strait, connecting the Sea of Azov with the Black Sea.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov went even further and was quoted as dismissing the meeting of the Coalition of the Willing as “a coalition of warmongers.”
“These are the countries that are undertaking hostile actions against Russia, so we will be watching very closely.”
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Kremlin will 'closely follow' Paris meeting, blames Coalition of the Willing for continuing war
Responding to the Paris summit on France, the Kremlin said it would “closely follow” the discussions today, but criticised the Coalition of the Willing as “the group of countries which want the Ukraine war to continue,” Reuters reported.
Germany joins France in summoning Russian ambassador over alleged cyber, hybrid attacks
Meanwhile, Germany joined France (10:14) in summoning the Russian ambassador to Berlin over what the EU alleges were Russian cyber-attacks against several EU countries and Ukraine (10:38, 10:52).
The German foreign ministry said the attacks were unacceptable and would be met with decisive actions, Reuters reported.
Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded to Russian attacks overnight on Ukraine, saying “the Russians have once again ’triumphed’ over absolutely civilian targets,” as they struck “ordinary passenger buses in Odesa, ordinary apartment buildings in Zaporizhzhia, and an ordinary hospital in the Kharkiv region.”
“Every single day of this war that Russia is waging against life only proves that supporting Ukraine is the right thing to do from every perspective – defence, political, and simply human. And everyone around the world sees it.
They see that Ukraine needs more air defence, more protection for people’s lives, and that the Russian authorities have gone insane over this war and are completely irrational in refusing to end it.
But pressure on Russia must work. New sanctions against the aggressor, new support packages for Ukraine, new projects – like our European anti-ballistic initiative, FREYJA – all of this must work. Thank you to everyone who is helping. In the near future, there will be meetings and negotiations that must strengthen our defences.”
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Later today we will be focusing on the Paris summit on Ukraine, which comes at a “powerful moment of renewed transatlantic convergence and unity”, but also of “more favourable developments on the ground” for Kyiv, the Élysée said.
The leaders of the Coalition of the Willing – led by Macron and Starmer – are set to focus on cooperation on air and missile defence with Ukraine, including licensed weapons production in the country.
Ukraine’s Zelenskyy and other leaders are expected to stay in Paris for tomorrow’s Bastille Day parade on the Champs-Élysées, which Macron’s office said will highlight France’s ongoing support for France, AFP reported.
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EU’s Kaja Kallas said earlier that the foreign ministers meeting in Brussels were hoping to get a deal on as many as 250 listings, on top of the 21st sanctions package.
“This is the biggest number of listings we have done so far. It’s also reaction to the attacks that Russia has had on the [Ukrainian] civilians recently,” she said.
“There are different people, individuals that have been engaging in in different activities. So it’s a vast list I hope that we get to adopt today. When it comes to the 21st package, there are still some open questions, but we are working towards agreement,” she added.
UK sanctions 24 individuals, entities for Russia's destructive hybrid operations; attributes last year's attack on Poland's energy grid to Russia
The UK has also updated its sanctions, listing 24 individuals and entities behind “the destructive and hybrid operations” in Europe, including an attempt to disrupt Poland’s electricity grid last year (Europe Live, January).
“Today’s action targets 24 individuals and entities behind the destructive cyber and hybrid operations including cybercriminals involved in proxy networks linked to the Russian Intelligence Services (RIS).
This includes sanctioning GRU senior leadership figures Vyacheslav Stafeyev, Ivan Senin and Ivan Kasyanenko for their role in directing GRU cyber and hybrid threat operations. GRU Unit 29155 cyber division worked with cybercriminals, including the company IMPULS, to recruit hackers and cyber specialists from universities and academies across Russia.
In addition, the UK together with EU member states is today attributing the attack on Poland’s energy grid to Russia’s FSB Centre 16. This reckless attack failed but could have caused 500,000 citizens to lose electricity in the depths of winter. It is another example of the Russian state’s irresponsible attempts to sow chaos across Europe.
As Russia struggles to sustain its ailing war effort in Ukraine, the Russian Intelligence Service agencies have tasked cybercriminals to collect intelligence to support Russia’s military and foreign policy objectives, threatening security across Europe. This is another example of Russia using its criminal networks to do its dirty work.”
Updated
EU sanctions nine people, four entities over Russian cyber espionage, sabotage
And just like that, the EU has just issued new sanctions over “Russia’s malicious cyber ecosystem targeting the EU, its member states and international partners.”
“These activities have included infiltration of governmental networks and sabotage of critical infrastructure. Among others, France, Germany, Poland, Cyprus, the Netherlands, Austria, Slovakia, Romania and Finland have been targeted.
In France, the 16th Centre has conducted cyber espionage against strategic governmental entities since 2010 and defence industry in 2025.
In Germany, it has targeted governmental entities.
Recently in Poland, the 16th Centre has carried out disruptive sabotage operations against critical infrastructure, including combined heating and power plants.”
Nine people and four entities got sanctioned, the EU said, including GRU intelligence officers, cybercriminals and “private companies that contribute to Russia’s efforts to destabilise the EU.”
“We strongly condemn Russia’s behaviour and misuse of this cyber ecosystem, targeting public services and critical infrastructure, causing disruptions and financial losses.”
Morning opening: Focus on Ukraine
French president Emmanuel Macron is going to host the Coalition of the Willing in Paris later today amid hopes that Ukraine’s recent advances in strikes on Russia could force Vladimir Putin to a negotiating table.
The meeting at the Hôtel des Invalides – hosted just before Bastille Day – will bring together over 20 European leaders for further talks on how to help Kyiv and put more pressure on Moscow.
Earlier, Macron will meet with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
There will be a press conference with Macron, Zelenskyy, Germany’s Friedrich Merz, and Britain’s outgoing PM, Keir Starmer, in the late afternoon.
Building up to the meeting, France’s foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot said France will summon the Russian ambassador to Paris in the coming days over an alleged cyberhacking campaign conducted by Russia against European countries including France, Reuters reported.
“We are going to publicly condemn a widespread cyber campaign carried out by Russia against at least 10 European countries,” Barrot told BFM TV.
“We will also impose sanctions on nine individuals and four entities responsible for this cyber campaign, which was orchestrated by the FSB” security service, he added.
Separately, some 300 kilometers up north from Paris, EU foreign ministers are meeting in Brussels to discuss the bloc’s next, 21st, package of sanctions against Russia.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told reporters that “there are still some open questions” and the package has not been signed off by the ministers, but hoped an agreement could be struck later today.
Lithuanian foreign minister Kęstutis Budrys said EU countries had yet to reach a decision on a proposed maritime services ban and tightening restrictions on Russian liquefied natural gas.
“So I’m looking to see whether we are serious enough. We cannot put economic interests above security interests … that is a very dangerous trend,” he told reporters.
Lots for us to cover.
I will bring you all the latest here.
It’s Monday, 13 July 2026, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.
Good morning.
