Zelenskyy appears to take dig at Witkoff for his praise for ‘humanitarian’ Putin after Kyiv attacks
Oh, that’s tasty.
Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded to overnight attacks on Kyiv with a dig at US peace envoy Steve Witkoff’s comments lauding Russia’s Vladimir Putin as “a humanitarian”.
Zelenskyy said:
“Three waves of ballistic missiles have been launched at Kyiv by Russian ‘humanitarians’ since yesterday evening. They used 21 missiles. Unfortunately, numerous sites across the city have been hit and damaged: ordinary residential buildings, energy facilities, infrastructure at one of the railway stations and the metro, shopping malls, and businesses. Even a monastery is among the damaged sites. Our emergency services are working at all the affected locations. Twelve of our regions came under Russian attack overnight.”
He said that at least two people died and 34 people were injured, including five children, in Kyiv.
“Almost immediately after another round of talks, Russia launched a pointed attack. This means there has been no real change in its attitude toward everything that is happening. It is important to keep trying to find the right solutions to end this war. But when Russia responds to negotiations with ballistic missiles, real pressure on Russia is needed to bring about different steps – steps toward ending the killing.”
Key events
Macron set to speak after emergency security council soon
Jakub Krupa
I am keeping an eye on France, where Emmanuel Macron is set to speak shortly after this morning’s emergency security council meeting ahead of more protests expected this weekend.
I will bring you the key lines when he shows up.
Russia, Ukraine exchange fallen soldiers’ bodies
Meanwhile, we are getting more lines from Ukraine, with Belarusian state news agency reporting that Russia and Ukraine exchanged bodies of their war dead today.
Moscow handed over 252 corpses, and received 25 bodies in return, it said.
We will no doubt hear about this from the official channels later.
France reports first human Shamonda virus case
Meanwhile, French health authorities said they had detected the Shamonda virus usually affecting livestock in a human for the first time in a patient who later died, while adding that they saw no risk to the general population at this stage.
Shamonda virus is an insect-borne Orthobunyavirus primarily affecting livestock, particularly cattle, and transmitted by biting midges, Reuters explained.
First identified in Nigeria in the mid-1960s, it has since been detected sporadically in animals in Africa and Japan. It has been spreading among several European countries this year.
The virus had until now been considered non-transmissible to humans, the French government said.
Italy, Spain agree to drop post-Ceuta Schengen suspension
Italy and Spain have dropped mutual border controls introduced in the aftermath of the Ceuta border crisis.
We covered that scenario on the blog last week (Europe Live, Friday).
In a statement, the Italian interior ministry said the two interior minister held “a cordial telephone” and “agreed that the suspensions of Schengen in force … will not be extended further.”
“The decision, which came after a careful analysis of the situation, will be accompanied by a strengthening of the exchange of information to ensure the full security of the Schengen common area,” the statement said.
Zelenskyy appears to take dig at Witkoff for his praise for ‘humanitarian’ Putin after Kyiv attacks
Oh, that’s tasty.
Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded to overnight attacks on Kyiv with a dig at US peace envoy Steve Witkoff’s comments lauding Russia’s Vladimir Putin as “a humanitarian”.
Zelenskyy said:
“Three waves of ballistic missiles have been launched at Kyiv by Russian ‘humanitarians’ since yesterday evening. They used 21 missiles. Unfortunately, numerous sites across the city have been hit and damaged: ordinary residential buildings, energy facilities, infrastructure at one of the railway stations and the metro, shopping malls, and businesses. Even a monastery is among the damaged sites. Our emergency services are working at all the affected locations. Twelve of our regions came under Russian attack overnight.”
He said that at least two people died and 34 people were injured, including five children, in Kyiv.
“Almost immediately after another round of talks, Russia launched a pointed attack. This means there has been no real change in its attitude toward everything that is happening. It is important to keep trying to find the right solutions to end this war. But when Russia responds to negotiations with ballistic missiles, real pressure on Russia is needed to bring about different steps – steps toward ending the killing.”
Thailand, Malaysia urge citizens to avoid protest-hit EU countries
Thailand has advised its citizens to postpone non-essential travel to parts of Europe rocked by protests, while Malaysia also warned its nationals about visiting France, AFP reported.
“Those travelling from Thailand to Europe must closely monitor the situation as it is changing rapidly and France remains a concern as the situation is still ongoing,” Thai foreign minister Sihasak Phungketkeow told reporters late Wednesday during a trip to Italy.
He cited concerns about protests in Italy, noting his Italian counterpart had to cancel their bilateral due to an urgent government cabinet meeting on the unrest, adding: “We are also worried about Spain.”
“If it’s not necessary, with everything going on in those countries, I think it’s better to delay the trip for a while.”
The Malaysian embassy in Paris had on Sunday advised Malaysians in France “to exercise caution and remain vigilant” due to the protests.
China warned its citizens travelling to France to take safety precautions, state broadcaster CCTV reported Monday, after town halls and shops were looted and set on fire at the weekend.
Morning opening: Macron hosts a security council meeting on protests
Jakub Krupa
French president Emmanuel Macron is back from his tour of the Gulf and convening a meeting with relevant ministers and intelligence services to figure out what can be done to prevent unsavoury scenes on the streets of French cities as more protests are planned for this Saturday.
“The government must hold its nerve,” Macron told reporters earlier this week.
He is expected to speak after the meeting, so once to watch.
Later today, French prime minister Sébastien Lecornu will hold a separate meeting with party leaders to discuss their concerns, including about policing and the next year’s presidential campaign.
Over in Ukraine, there are no signs of Russian attacks stopping anytime soon, after a night of “massive strikes” on port infrastructure facilities in Odesa region and on Kyiv.
Ukraine’s foreign minister Andii Sybiha commented on the attacks, saying:
“Kyiv residents heard what Russian ‘humanism’ truly sounds like: a brutal attack with dozens of ballistic missiles striking energy infrastructure, medical facilities, shopping centers, and residential areas. Other cities across Ukraine came under attack as well.
Appeasement, servility, and flattery will not stop this war. Only strength will.”
No prizes for guessing who he may be addressing these comments to.
I will also bring you the latest from Serbia where the last day of campaigning begins before this Sunday’s closely contested parliamentary election.
Lots for us to cover.
It’s Thursday, 22 October 2026, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.
Good morning.
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