Key events
EU’s von der Leyen faces vote of no confidence
Jennifer Rankin
Separately, we will be looking at the vote of no confidence in Ursula von der Leyen’s European Commission in Strasbourg.
Our Brussels correspondent Jennifer Rankin wrote this explainer on what’s at stake.
Here is what she says:
Von der Leyen is expected to comfortably survive a vote on Thursday on the censure motion, which in theory could trigger the downfall of her commission.
While her survival is considered a certainty, the debate has lifted the lid on simmering discontent among centrist, centre-left and green MEPs who voted her back into office just under one year ago, after elections that gave rightwing nationalists their best-ever results.
But behind the scenes, her officials are worried that a large number of no-shows and abstentions from mainstream groups could damage her standing in the vote.
Morning opening: Ukraine accuses Russia of ‘escalating terror’
Jakub Krupa
Russia launched around 400 drones and 18 missiles against Ukraine overnight, with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy saying the recent attacks mark “a clear escalation of terror” by Moscow.
He said:
“Hundreds of ‘shaheds’ every night, constant strikes, and massive attacks on Ukrainian cities.
This demands that we speed things up.
Sanctions must be imposed faster, and pressure on Russia must be strong enough that they truly feel the consequences of their terror.”
The attack comes just hours before Zelenskyy meets with international parts at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome and talks to allies in the Coalition of the Willing.
In an early morning post, he said the talks will focus on “additional funding for the production of interceptor drones and the supply of air defence systems for Ukraine.”
“The objectives are absolutely clear. Such Russian attacks must be met with a tough response. And that is exactly what we will deliver.”
It’s Thursday, 10 July 2025, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.
Good morning.
