Sunday, July 20th's live news on the conflict in Ukraine. A Kremlin spokesperson: Finding a solution for Ukraine is a long process, and Trump knows it.

• It is the 1,242nd day of war in Ukraine
• So far, over 400,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed and about 1,000 Moscow soldiers are dying every day
• Major General of the German Armed Forces, Christian Freuding, has proposed hitting Russian airports and infrastructure to support Ukraine
• Yesterday, July 19, according to sources in Kiev, 7 people were killed and 28 were injured by Russian drones in several regions of Ukraine

16:37 | July 20

Zelensky sanctions five people for anti-Ukrainian narratives, including Russian opposition figure Yulia Latynina.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has implemented the National Security and Defense Council's decision to impose sanctions on five individuals: two Russians and three Ukrainians. These include former Ukrainian MP Natalia Korolevska, Russian opposition representative Yulia Latynina, and Ukrainian blogger Andriy Serebryansky (Luhansk). The presidential decree stipulates this. The list also includes former Ukrainian MP Gennady Balashov and Russian propagandist Tatyana Aksyonenko.

4:27 PM | July 20

Russian forces approach Ukraine's second coal mine

The Russian army has approached the Krasnolymanska coal mine, Ukraine's second largest, in Donbass. This was reported by Donetsk authorities, appointed by Moscow, as reported by Tass. Our troops have approached the Krasnolymanska mine. The company's main administrative and production complex is less than a kilometer away, said Igor Kimakovsky, an advisor to the Donetsk leader. The coal mining facility is located near the town of Rodinske, about 60 kilometers from the capital, Donetsk. Annual coal production here amounts to several million tons.

4:26 PM | July 20

Putin meets Khamenei's advisor, focusing on nuclear dossier

Russian President Vladimir Putin received Ali Larijani, an advisor to Iranian Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in the Kremlin, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced. The Iranian representative conveyed to Putin his assessments of the deteriorating situation in the Middle East and Iran's nuclear program, Peskov said. The Russian president expressed well-known positions aimed at stabilizing the situation in the region and finding a political solution to issues related to Iran's nuclear program, the Kremlin spokesman added.

2:39 PM | July 20

German Foreign Minister Wadephul: Merz played a role in shifting Trump's position

The German Chancellor played a significant role in Donald Trump's shift in attitude toward Vladimir Putin. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is convinced of this, stating in an interview with Bild that Merz played a significant role because he clearly demonstrated his support for Ukraine from the beginning. Merz called Trump and said that US help is needed now. We can be pleased that the Chancellor has established such a reasonable relationship with the US president and that Germany's voice is once again being heard in Washington, the minister added.

2:25 PM | July 20

Zelensky ready to raise $6.9 billion from Russia's Gazprom

Ukraine is ready to raise $6.9 billion from Russia and the energy company Gazprom. This was stated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who spoke with Serhiy Koretsky, General Director of the Ukrainian energy company Naftogaz."We discussed the ways to implement arbitration decisions in Ukraine's favor. We already have several positive decisions in international arbitrations totaling $6.9 billion. These are absolutely fair decisions that demonstrate the responsibility of Russia and Gazprom and confirm the value of international law," the Ukrainian president stated."We are preparing specific measures to raise these funds, and Ukrainian ambassadors will receive relevant instructions tomorrow," he added."We also discussed with Serhiy Koretsky preparations for the new winter season and the agreements with European partners and international financial organizations necessary for Ukraine's stability." "Thanks to the Naftogaz team and everyone who contributes to achieving good results for Ukraine," Zelensky concluded in a Telegram message.

1:24 PM | July 20

Motion on von der Leyen, the EU: Russian propaganda is trying to weaken the Union

Actors closely linked to Russian propaganda are attempting to polarize and weaken the European Union, said Thomas Reigner, spokesperson for Defense and Digital Economy at the European Commission. They opportunistically exploit political events or discussions in the EU to distort political debate, spread conspiracy theories, or discredit European politicians. The free and independent press in Europe, as well as fact-checkers and researchers, have an important role to play in advancing understanding of the issue, he added."We have long been following Russian operations against the EU and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Independent fact-checkers have clearly identified such operations in the context of the motion of censure." Meanwhile, Moscow plans to launch up to 2,000 drones simultaneously toward Ukraine, said the head of the German Situational Response Center for Kyiv, General Freuding.

12:54 PM | July 20

Moscow: Russia has shot down 364 Ukrainian drones in the last 24 hours

The Russian Defense Ministry reported that Russian troops have shot down 364 Ukrainian drones in the past 24 hours. Air defense systems downed two guided aerial bombs, four US-made HIMARS projectiles and Czech-made Vampire missile systems, and 364 fixed-wing drones, the ministry said, announcing new gains for Russian troops. Units of the Southern Group of Forces liberated the town of Belaya Gora in the Donetsk People's Republic (DP) thanks to the success of their offensive, the ministry said in a statement. Furthermore, according to the same source, the Eastern Group of Forces continues to advance deep into the Ukrainian Armed Forces' defense, while the Central, Northern, and Western Groups have strengthened their positions over the past 24 hours. Units of the Eastern Group continued to advance deep into the enemy defense. They inflicted damage on servicemen and equipment from two mechanized brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, a marine infantry brigade, and a territorial defense brigade near the populated towns of Filiya in the Dnepropetrovsk region, Zelyony Gai in the Donetsk People's Republic, and Temirovka in the Zaporozhye region, the Defense Ministry stated. The Ukrainian army has lost up to 170 servicemen in the past 24 hours, while the Central and Northern Groups have improved their tactical positions, and the Western Group has strengthened its front-line positions, the official statement concluded.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul told Bild: Merz influenced Trump's change of stance on Putin.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz helped US President Donald Trump change his stance on Russian President Vladimir Putin. This was stated by German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul in an interview with the tabloid Bild, which also hinted that Merz had room for maneuver on tariffs. When asked whether Ukraine could suffer losses due to increasingly aggressive Russian attacks, the minister replied"no," because "all of Europe supports Ukraine, and the United States is also ready to provide support." This, according to Johann Wadephul, is largely due to the Chancellor's initiative.

12:22 PM | July 20

Ukraine: German forces target Russian infrastructure

German Armed Forces Major General Christian Freuding has proposed attacking Russian airfields and infrastructure to support Ukraine. His remarks on the Bundeswehr YouTube channel have also been reiterated by the Russian press, including RIA Novosti, which highlights the offensive operations scenario threatened by Germany. It is possible to indirectly influence the fact that the offensive potential of the Russian armed forces is not revealed at all. The first option, of course, is to conduct offensive anti-aircraft operations ourselves using long-range weapons, essentially an air war: aircraft that strike airfields before these weapons can even be used, Freuding stated. According to the general, quoted by the Russian press, defense industry enterprises could also become targets. He also admitted that Moscow has had serious successes in missile production, but called for a way to prevent the development of the Russian military-industrial complex. Here we need to reconsider whether the economic measures taken are sufficient and where we can find leverage to reduce Russian production, especially in this sector, the German Armed Forces Major General concluded. Last week, Freuding, who heads a special staff for Ukraine at the German Ministry of Defense and coordinates military assistance to Kiev, stated that the first Ukrainian long-range missiles, the development of which was funded by Germany, will arrive by the end of July. In recent years, Russia has reported unprecedented NATO activity near its western borders. NATO is expanding its initiatives and calls them a deterrent to Russian aggression. Moscow has repeatedly expressed concern about the alliance's strengthening forces in Europe. The Kremlin has emphasized that Russia is not threatening anyone, but will not ignore actions that could potentially threaten its interests.

12:20 PM | July 20

Pesko: The time hasn't come yet for Putin and Trump to meet.

The time has not yet come for a meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with Russian public television, reported by Tass. He acknowledged, however, that he has begun to consider a meeting between the two leaders necessary, and that it will undoubtedly happen in time. He then added that it may be necessary to formalize some important agreements reached over time, after considerable work. This work still needs to be done, he continued, thus concluding that the time for a summit between Trump and Putin has not yet arrived. Regarding the telephone contacts between the two leaders, Peskov described the discussions as taking place in a pragmatic and professional atmosphere between people who maintain their positions but are willing to listen to each other. In recent days, Trump has repeatedly expressed his frustration that Putin continues to bomb Ukraine after their phone calls. Finally, Peskov did not comment on the ultimatum imposed by Trump, who threatened heavy sanctions, even secondary ones, if Moscow does not reach peace within 50 days. He simply insisted that for Moscow, the objectives remain clear, evident, and unchanged. The process, he concluded, does not depend solely on us.

12:19 PM | July 20

Kiev, yesterday, July 19, 7 dead and 28 injured by Russian drones in several regions of Ukraine

Russian strikes against Ukraine killed seven people and injured at least 28 others yesterday, July 19, according to regional authorities. The Kyiv Independent newspaper reported this. According to the Air Force, Ukrainian forces shot down 18 of 57 drones, including Shahed-type attack drones and mock drones, launched by Russia overnight. Seven drones were intercepted electronically or disappeared from radar, the statement said. Russia typically launches mock drones alongside kamikaze drones to overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses. Specifically, a Russian drone strike on a house in the village of Prymorske, in Zaporizhia Oblast, injured two women, aged 64 and 73, according to Governor Ivan Fedorov. The Russian attack near Zaporizhia damaged seven homes, wounding another woman, he added. Three men, aged 45, 59, and 73, were injured in an attack in Kupiansk, Kharkiv Oblast, according to Governor Oleh Syniehubov. A 42-year-old man was injured in the village of Nechvolodivka, while two women, aged 50 and 76, were injured in Izium. Russian drones targeted the community of Svesa, Sumy Oblast, setting three homes on fire. The attack killed a 78-year-old woman, Governor Oleh Hryhorov said. Two more people were injured near the town of Shostka, in the same region. Two people were killed and five others were injured in a Russian missile attack near Synelnykove, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Governor Serhii Lysak said. Several people were killed in Kostiantynivka, Pokrovsk, and Raiske, in Donetsk Oblast, Governor Vadym Filashkin said. Six more people were injured in the region throughout the day. In Kherson Oblast, Russian forces targeted 34 settlements, including the regional capital. One person was killed and six others, including a child, were injured, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said.

11:28 AM | July 20

Kremlin, the last Putin-Trump phone call was pragmatic: Both firm in their positions but ready to listen to each other

The last phone call between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump was a pragmatic and professional conversation between people firm in their positions but ready to listen to each other, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with VGTRK journalist Pavel Zarubin, reported by Tass, regarding the last meeting between the two leaders in early July. After that conversation, Trump used harsh words against the Russian president, who had stated that Moscow would not back down in Ukraine. The tycoon then backtracked on halting arms shipments to Kiev.

11:12 AM | July 20

Kremlin: Finding a solution for Ukraine is a long process, and Trump knows it

Donald Trump's statements indicate a desire to reach an agreement in Ukraine as quickly as possible, but Washington is increasingly understanding the complexity of this long and difficult process. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said this in an interview with VGTRK, cited by Tass."We are accustomed to rather harsh and direct rhetoric," Peskov added,"but at the same time he confirms his intention to continue doing everything possible to facilitate a peaceful solution." Putin has also repeatedly expressed his desire to reach a peaceful agreement as quickly as possible.

10:58 AM | July 20

Fassino will travel to Kiev for the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

Fassino will travel to Kyiv to learn about the implementation plans for the investment program approved at the International Conference on the Reconstruction of Ukraine, held in Rome on July 11. With this mission to Kyiv, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe reaffirms its concrete support for the Ukrainian people and its firm commitment to defending democracy, territorial integrity, and human rights, Fassino stated. Meeting with institutions, listening to civil society, and seeing with one's own eyes the wounds and hopes of a country that resists and looks to the future is today, Fassino continued, a moral and political duty. Because Ukraine is not alone: the Council of Europe will continue to support the process of resilience and democratic reconstruction with determination, cooperation, and solidarity.

10:54 AM | July 20

Russian Ambassador: Moscow-Holy See Dialogue Is a Positive Exception

The dialogue between the Russian Federation and the Holy See is respectful, ongoing, and pragmatic. And these days, it's a positive exception, both on the European and global levels. All of this is significant from our point of view and confirms how important the"Vatican factor" is for us on the global political level, says Ivan Soltanovsky, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Holy See, in an interview with Avvenire."We don't see the Holy See as a political mediator," he adds,"but we consider it a facilitator. With its actions, it fosters dialogue between Moscow and Kyiv, helping to create a more serene climate that can lead to fruitful peace talks. This is peace that Russia desires, no less than those who claim to want to end hostilities and then rearm the authorities in Kyiv. In reality, the Holy See is already facilitating contacts between the parties. This is demonstrated by its humanitarian contribution, the fruit of its moral authority. Soltanovsky explains that the Pope's proposal to welcome representatives of Moscow and Kiev to the Vatican is appreciated, but he adds that, due to political and logistical reasons, it's very difficult to imagine the project coming to fruition. I'm thinking, for example, of the European Union's sanctions against Russia, which restrict travel. I believe it would be more practical to continue the meetings in Turkey, which is a NATO member state but hasn't introduced restrictions. Of course, we wouldn't want to be seen as ungrateful to the Pope if we highlight the feasibility issues. Our Minister of Culture, Olga Borisovna Lyubimova, had to travel ten hours from Moscow to Rome for Pope Francis's funeral Mass, although we acknowledge the Italian authorities' cooperation in allowing the Russian delegation to arrive.

10:23 AM | July 20

Moscow plans 2,000-drone strike against Ukraine

The head of the situational awareness center for Ukraine at the German Ministry of Defense, Bundeswehr Major General Christian Freuding, said yesterday that Moscow intends to launch up to 2,000 drones simultaneously toward Ukraine, according to Ukrainian media. This will pose a serious challenge to Ukraine's air defense system, Freuding added in a podcast. Intelligent countermeasures are needed, he added, noting that the use of Patriot missiles against Russian kamikaze drones is illogical, which cost 30,000–50,000 euros, while a Patriot missile costs over 5 million.

7:14 AM | July 20

Moscow: 93 Ukrainian drones shot down overnight

Russian forces shot down 93 Ukrainian drones over nine regions of the country and the Black Sea last night, the Russian Defense Ministry announced on Telegram. The largest number of unmanned aerial vehicles, 38, were intercepted over the territory of the Bryansk region, while 19 were destroyed in the Moscow region, 16 of which were headed toward the Russian capital.

7:07 AM | July 20

The mayor of Kiev: We need modern weapons. Zelensky? He's a centralizer: democracy must be preserved.

(By Marta Serafini, correspondent in Kiev) Vitaly Klitschko, mayor of the Ukrainian capital, former boxer (he is 2.01 meters tall), son of a Soviet Air Force colonel sent to Chernobyl shortly after the nuclear accident (he later died of cancer, I grew that much in the summer of 1986), former leader of Maidan (Europe is our soul), is trying to step into an imaginary ring. Against Putin. But also a little against Trump. And also against Zelensky.

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​Continue reading here the full article.

0:49 | July 20, Courier

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Kiev: Drone attack in Zaporizhia, explosions heard

The Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported the presence of drones heading towards Zaporizhzhia and announced the activation of air defense, urging residents to remain in safe places. Ukrinform reported the news, while a journalist from the same outlet on the scene reported hearing explosions in the Ukrainian city.

0:38|July 20

Zelensky: A meeting at the highest level is necessary to truly ensure peace

A meeting at the highest level is necessary to truly secure peace. Thus, Volodymyr Zelensky reaffirmed his readiness to negotiate with Vladimir Putin in his speech, announcing that Kiev had proposed a new meeting next week. In June, two subsequent meetings between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations took place in Istanbul, but no progress was made toward a ceasefire.

0:31|July 20

Zelensky proposes talks in Moscow next week

Kiev has proposed a new round of peace talks to Moscow next week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, following the negotiations' breakdown in early June. Security Council Secretary Umerov also announced that he proposed the next meeting with the Russian side next week, Zelensky said in his evening address. The momentum of the negotiations must be strengthened. Everything possible must be done to secure a ceasefire. And the Russian side must stop ducking decisions. Prisoner exchange. Return of children. End of killings. A leaders-level meeting is needed to truly secure peace, a lasting peace, the Ukrainian president continued. Ukraine is ready for such a meeting, he concluded.

0:27|July 20

Kiev: Moscow launched 6-hour raid in eastern Ukraine

Russia launched its largest-ever attack on the eastern Ukrainian city of Pavlohrad, involving hundreds of kamikaze drones and ballistic missiles. The six-hour bombardment was the worst in the city's history, according to Sergey Lysak, head of the Dnipropetrovsk region, who noted that a factory was damaged, a fire station destroyed, and a five-story residential building hit. A hellish night and morning for Pavlohrad. The most intense attack on the city. Explosion after explosion. Russian terrorists targeted it with missiles and drones, according to Lysak.

0:14|July 20

Mattarella: No more massacres of civilians in Gaza and Ukraine.

The President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella, returned to two issues close to his heart: environmental protection and the defense of civilians in tragic acts of war, as is happening in Ukraine and Gaza, with a strong warning against the massacres of defenseless citizens. These are two issues dear to the head of state because they intertwine the defense of international law with his desire to ensure a future for younger generations. Mattarella first traveled to Tesero, in the Fiemme Valley, Trentino, for the 40th anniversary celebrations, to commemorate the Stava massacre, in which 268 people died in the space of four minutes, swept away by a wave of mud generated by the collapse of a tailings pond at a mining facility located upstream from the town rather than downstream: a location that could not have been worse, Mattarella noted. The memory of this disaster, not natural but artificially caused by man for the sake of profit, must lead, the President of the Republic said, to a new responsibility: it was determined, he observed, by indifference to the danger to people, based on a mistaken conception of the relationship between man and the environment, with the latter considered a resource to be exploited and not dutifully placed in the community's service, as a value at its service.

And then the warning: there are no excuses, reconciling ourselves with the environment is a question that also concerns social cohesion, which also concerns democracy. The prospect of sustainable development was a victory achieved at a high price, a victory that at times seems to be wanted by some to rid themselves of as if it were a nuisance rather than an investment in the future. He therefore invites reflection on the casualness with which, even in Europe, environmental policies are being set aside so as not to hinder business. After Tesero, Mattarella flew to Rovereto for the centenary of Maria Dolens, the bell cast from the cannons of all the countries that participated in the First World War. It was a return, as he recalled, having come here as Minister of Defense alongside President Ciampi in 2000. In a place that epitomizes the rejection of war, the President of the Republic voiced humanity's dismay at the resurfacing of shadows throughout the world, shadows that were once thought to have no place or presence. These shadows are those who intend to reintroduce wars of territorial annexation, a legacy of dark ages past, or those who seek to restore the rule of the strong over the weak. Mattarella made a clear reference to what is happening in Ukraine and Gaza, where even civilians have become the target, violating the international law that humanity established after the Second World War with the Geneva Convention, intended to make war less atrocious. Mattarella condemned the attitude of those who think they can bomb civilians in their homes or when we witness the massacre of young people celebrating while listening to music, as happened on October 7th by Hamas. In this situation, the Head of State continued,"we no longer limit ourselves to the sad task of targeting opposing soldiers, but we also shoot and kill in places of prayer, in places where water is distributed to the thirsty and bread to the hungry, and we target first responders assisting the wounded, as is happening in Gaza. All of this creates a radical contradiction," Mattarella emphasized,"not only with humanity's expectations but also risks introducing a spiral of resentment, hatred, and opposition that in turn constantly generates further violence. To break this spiral, we must therefore relaunch a message that began here 100 years ago: a state of hope to which humanity aspires and which must prevail over what is happening and over the sadness we witness.

0:13|July 19

Wall Street Journal: Trump administration accelerates Patriot missile shipments to Germany to facilitate shipment to Ukraine

The administration of US President Donald Trump has decided to prioritize Germany over Switzerland in the production of Patriot air defense systems, thus paving the way for the sale of two German batteries to Ukraine. Three government officials, cited by the Wall Street Journal, reported this. This is the first concrete step taken by the Pentagon in support of Kiev since Trump announced earlier this month that he favors sending new weapons to the country at war with Russia. According to the officials, the rapid replacement of German Patriots with direct supplies from the United States is intended to address growing Ukrainian pressure to obtain more defenses against Russian missiles and drones, at a time when Western production lines are struggling to keep up with demand. The plan is part of President Trump's strategy of making NATO allies pay for the military equipment supplied to Kiev, limiting direct spending by Washington.