Zelenskyy calls for direct talks with Putin after Russian president says he backs peace negotiations – Europe live | Kyiv

Meanwhile, Zelenskyy has just disclosed that he spoke with UK prime minister Keir Starmer, discussing the need to scale up drone production and associated financial needs, and to move on sanctions.

The conversation started with Starmer’s condolences for the Russian attack on Kyiv, which killed 32, and their discussion on “how to stop the killings, provide greater protection for our people, and force Russia to end this war.”

The Ukrainian president said that, despite bullish rhethoric coming from Moscow, “Russia genuinely fears” sanctions, “no matter how hard it pretends that it couldn’t care less.”

“Sanctions are undoubtedly working – and there will be more. We are working with everyone on coordinated restrictive measures.”

Zelenskyy also said he spoke with Starmer about “coordination of actions” with US under Trump and “possible formats for peace negotiations at the level of leaders.”

He ended:

“We are also preparing for active diplomatic engagement with our partners in Europe and the United States. We aligned our positions ahead of upcoming international events.”

Following Zelenskyy’s comments, his most senior aide Andriy Yermak said in his trademark blunt style that “it’s long past time for Russians to move from empty talks and living in a fantasy world to facing reality.”

He said that “a meeting of leaders is possible – it’s Russia that doesn’t want it.”

“Too many statements about ‘wanting peace’ while missile strikes continue — and not a single real step toward peace from Moscow.

Where is the ceasefire the United States proposed back in March – the one we agreed to?

President [Trump] is doing a great deal to achieve peace.

President Zelenskyy shares the principle of peace through strength.

It’s time for Russia to stop lying on the bench and start getting specific.”

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded to Putin’s comments, repeating that Ukraine is ready for talks at the leaders’ level “at any time.”

“We have heard the statements coming out of Russia.

If these are signals of a genuine willingness to end the war with dignity and establish a truly lasting peace – and not merely an attempt to buy more time for war or delay sanctions – then Ukraine once again reaffirms its readiness to meet at the level of leaders at any time.”

He continued by explaining why a direct meeting is needed to conduct talks.

“We understand who makes the decisions in Russia and who must end this war. The whole world understands this too,” he said.

“Ukraine proposes to move from exchanges of statements and technical-level meetings to talks between leaders.

The United States has proposed this.

Ukraine had supported it.

What is needed is Russia’s readiness.”

Zelenskyy also pointedly thanked US president Donald Trump for his work on ending the conflict, seemingly acknowledging how much depends on his response to Putin’s latest attacks.

In further lines from Putin, he also said that if anyone was disappointed in the outcome of peace talks to date, that was a consequence of inflated expectations.

Instead, he insisted, further conversations should be conducted “without cameras and in a calm atmosphere.“

Putin also repeated a claim that Russia captured the Ukrainian town of Chasiv Yar, which is denied by Ukraine.

Russian president Vladimir Putin has said that Moscow’s goals in Ukraine remained unchanged and claimed that Russian troops are advancing “along entire frontline” in Ukraine.

In comments reported by Reuters, Putin also said that the new deadly Oreshnik missile system is now being mass produced, with first deliveries already made to the army.

At the same time, he said he hoped peace talks between Russia and Ukraine would continue, but warned against inflated expectations as to what can be realistically achieved.

He also insisted that the issue of the war would need to be addressed “in the context of European security as a whole,” which in the past was linked to his expansive security demands relating to large parts of central and eastern Europe.

Putin has been talking to the media alongside Belarussian autocratic president Alexander Lukashenko.

We are getting a bit more detail on the Patriot deliveries from Germany, from the defence ministry’s press note.

Defence minister Boris Pistorius said Friday’s announcement “shows once again that Germany is by far Ukraine’s strongest supporter when it comes to air defence”.

“Germany is doing the groundwork to quickly meet Ukraine’s urgent current needs,” he said.

The note added that Germany also wanted to “combine this delivery with an appeal to our partners to promptly provide additional systems.”

AFP noted that aside from Germany, Norway, the Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden have said they are willing to finance the systems under the deal.

Ukrainian defence minister Denis Shmyhal said in a statement that Germany will deliver two Patriot systems to Ukraine, starting with additional launchers “in the coming days.”

“In a second phase, over the next two to three months, further system components will be handed over,” he said.

Shmyhal, former prime minister, said that the move was “the result of joint efforts of the US, Germany and other Nato countries,” as he thanked his German and US counterparts, Boris Pistorius and Pete Hegseth.

“More air defence capabilities for Ukraine means more innocent lives saved!” he said.

Meanwhile, Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyy’s top aide, said he spoke with senior security officials from the UK, France, Germany and Italy this morning, discussing the aftermath of the Russian attack on Kyiv and next steps in relations with the US.

“I am grateful to my colleagues for their sincere words of sympathy to our nation in connection with the latest barbaric shelling of Kyiv. There are already 31 dead, including five children. Russia continues its terror against civilians. We must strengthen our joint response,” he said.

The officials confirmed “positive signals” from the White House regarding its planned response to Russia, including “sanctions on Russian oil and secondary tariffs.”

They also discussed “the preparation of a historic bilateral agreement between Ukraine and the US” on security, which would be co-financed by European allies.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has just issued another update, saying that 31 people were confirmed dead, including five children, as the search and rescue operations were concluded this morning.

He said:

“Once again, this vile strike by Russia demonstrates the need for increased pressure on Moscow and additional sanctions. No matter how much the Kremlin denies their effectiveness, sanctions do work – and they must be strengthened.

They must target everything that enables such attacks to continue. It is also crucial that the world does not remain silent about them.

I thank everyone who has supported our people. We value the fact that President Trump, European leaders, and other partners clearly see what is happening and condemn Russia.”

Zelenskyy added that in July alone, Russia used over 3,800 dones and 260 missiles, including 128 ballistic, against Ukraine.

“This can only be stopped through joint efforts – by America, Europe, and other global actors. Every engagement matters. Every day matters,” he said.

Ukrainian prime minister Yulia Svyrydenko confirmed that the death doll has risen to 28 this morning, after two more bodies, including of a two-year-old child, were retrieved from the rubbles.

She said:

“Entire families murdered in their homes, including children.

The world possesses every instrument required to ensure Russia is brought to justice. What is lacking is not power — but will.”

The death toll from Thursday’s Russian attack on Kyiv has risen to 26 with over 150 injured, making it one of the deadliest attacks on the capital since the start of the full-scale war in 2022.

Responding to the attack, Ukraine called for an emergency meeting of the UN security council this afternoon as it seeks to unite its allies and ramp up pressure on Russia to end the war.

Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said the meeting, scheduled for afternoon European time, will be a platform for countries to make it clear where they stand.

“Putin rejects peace efforts and wants to prolong his war. And the world has the necessary strength to stop him – by united pressure and principled position in favor of a full, immediate, and unconditional ceasefire,” he said.

Andriy Yermak, the most senior aide to president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, did not mince his words reacting to the news this morning as he spoke of “Russian murderers.”

US president Donald Trump, who recently set a new deadline for Russia to end the invasion until 8 August, told journalists that it was “disgusting what they are doing.”

“We’re going to put sanctions. I don’t know that sanctions bother him,” the US president said, referring to Putin.

US special envoy Steve Witkoff, who currently is in Israel, will be told to visit Russia next, he added.

Elsewhere, I will be keeping an eye on the latest on the EU-US trade, after Trump signed his executive order, but delayed the effects of sanctions by a week, until 7 August. You can follow market reactions on our business blog, too.

I will bring you all key updates from across Europe here.

It’s Friday, 1 August 2025, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.

Good morning.