EU bids to finalise new Russia sanctions amid discontent from some member states – Europe live | Europe

in Dnipro

Some long-awaited changes to the way the Ukrainian army is organized will come into force today. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has fired Ukraine’s commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi and offered a “key position” to the defense minister he fired last week, in a move that sparked nationwide protests.

Zelenskyy said in a late-night television speech that he would make the appointment Mykhailo DrapatyiHe is a popular and innovative general as the new head of the Ukrainian armed forces. The Ukrainian president said Drapatyi would oversee the reorganization of the army’s command structure.

Zelenskyy said he would bring Mykhailo Fedorov He returned to government after being dismissed as defense minister in one of the biggest political crises since Russia’s 2022 invasion, prompting thousands of people to demonstrate in Kiev and other Ukrainian cities.

The Ukrainian president paid tribute to Syrskyi, saying he led the defense of Kiev and launched a counter-invasion against Russia’s Kursk province in the summer of 2024, when foreign tanks entered Russian territory for the first time since the second world war.

“We have come a long way. Ukraine’s defense continues. And every soldier deserves to be treated with respect,” Zelenskyy said, adding that he was grateful to Syrskyi and “every single one of our soldiers” fighting on the front lines.

Zelenskyy hopes radical change in military leadership will calm protesters Those who took to the streets to demand Syrskyi’s dismissal. They gave until Friday for Fedorov to be reinstated and promised “indefinite protest” if their demands are not taken into account.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised the overnight attack on “logistics centers involved in the supply of unmanned aerial vehicle components, navigation equipment and other equipment to the Russian army.”

“We, quite rightly, are bringing the war back home to Russia. Peace is needed and Ukraine made every offer to the Russian side. “They should be forced to turn to diplomacy.”

Morning summary: So can they do this on a Wednesday morning in Brussels?

Yakup Krupa

EU ambassadors are meeting in Brussels today to sign the 21st sanctions package against Russia, after previous attempts failed.

Lithuania’s Ambassador to the EU Nerijus Aleksiejūnas, He told Lithuanian media that he was feeling a growing fatigue with sanctions due to concerns that some measures could pose really difficult questions for some member states.

“The most frequently heard argument is this: Sanctions do not harm European countries and economies compared to Russia,he said, As LRT reported.

As a result, the EU proposed restrictions on Russia’s fishing industries and a ban on Russian soldiers entering Europe (because France, ItalyAnd Spain LRT noted that the highest number of visas were issued to Russian citizens last year and was related to sanctions against Russian Orthodox patriarch Kirill. Greece He continues to oppose proposed restrictions on Russian LNG supplies.

It is not yet known whether the ambassadors will sign the 21st package today. before taking a break for summer vacation. I will pay attention to this issue. The meeting starts at 10am local time (9am in the UK).

Meanwhile, Ukraine is continuing its long-range attacks inside Russia, hitting more warehouses of Russia’s largest online retailer Wildberries overnight. It was stated that 8 people were injured.

Elsewhere, I will be keeping an eye on developments across Europe for you, as we look forward to updates from you. France, HungaryAnd Italyamong others.

His Wednesday, July 22, 2026his Yakup Krupa here and this Europe Live.

Good morning.