Zelenskyy calls for ‘strong decisions’ at Nato summit as Russia kills 21 in overnight strikes on Kyiv – as it happened

From 1d ago 15.42 BST Death toll from Kyiv attacks rises to 21 Meanwhile, the death toll frim the Kyiv attacks last night has risen to 21 – 15 in the capital, and six in the surrounding regions, agencies reported. Ukrainian rescuers work at the site of a Russian missile strike on a nine-storey residential building in Kyiv, Ukraine. Photograph: Maxym Marusenko/EPA Share

1d ago 17.04 BST Closing summary Jakub Krupa We are now closing the blog. Here is your summary of the day so far: At least 22 people were killed and dozens injured in another major Russian attack on Kyiv (17:58) , with Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy urging Nato leaders to take “strong decisions” and back Ukrainian air defence units (9:44).

His comments come a day before the alliance’s annual summit is set to begin in Ankara , Turkey, with Nato’s secretary general Mark Rutte telling the media that it will be all about discussions on defence spending and supporting Ukraine (15:53).

On the sidelines of the main summit, Zelenskyy is expected to meet with Donald Trump, with the US president suggesting earlier today that ending the Russian aggression on Ukraine is “much closer than people realise” (16:10). Wave of Russian strikes in Ukraine kills at least 21 people on eve of Nato summit Read more If you have any tips, comments or suggestions, email me at [email protected]. I am also on Bluesky at @jakubkrupa.bsky.social and on X at @jakubkrupa. Share

1d ago 16.58 BST The latest update to the death toll shows that at least 22 people were killed, with 15 in the city, and seven in the wider region. Share

1d ago 16.16 BST In his comments on Ukraine earlier, Trump said he had a “good call” with Russia’s Putin (16:10). Moscow is now suggesting that the pair will speak again in the coming days. Asked on Monday if Putin would speak with Trump after the US president meets Ukraine’s Zelenskyy in Ankara, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters they “have agreed that their contacts will continue in the near future.” One to watch. Share

1d ago 15.42 BST Death toll from Kyiv attacks rises to 21 Meanwhile, the death toll frim the Kyiv attacks last night has risen to 21 – 15 in the capital, and six in the surrounding regions, agencies reported. View image in fullscreen Ukrainian rescuers work at the site of a Russian missile strike on a nine-storey residential building in Kyiv, Ukraine. Photograph: Maxym Marusenko/EPA Share

1d ago 15.30 BST Rutte gets asked again and again about Trump, and he repeats his lines crediting him for Europe ramping up its defence spending. And that ends the press conference. Share

1d ago 15.27 BST Rutte also gets asked about Belarus’s role in the Ukraine war, and Zelenskyy’s warnings about its involvement in the conflict. He does not want to go into too much details, but says “let’s not be naive about the role Belarus is playing.” “They are under huge influence from Russia, from Moscow, so I think what happens in Minsk is very much inspired, to use that word, by Putin.” Share

1d ago 15.26 BST Rutte repeats his usual line on Ukraine talks as he says that: “When it comes to the peace process, obviously you need two to tango. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, is willing to sit down with Putin in whatever format to solve this terrible war and word, and obviously, so far Putin has declined to sit down.” “The Ukrainians are doing better and better on the battlefield, but in the end, I cannot predict what needs to happen for Putin to come to the negotiating table. I think nobody in this room can predict [that].” He says Putin is willing to sacrifice “crazy” numbers of troops on the battlefield. But he also pointedly praises the US for “breaking the deadlock” in talks with Russia, without explaining what does it mean. Share

1d ago 15.19 BST Rutte gets also asked about Ukraine’s lack of interceptors which makes it more vulnerable to Russian attacks on Kyiv. He says that the existing delivery processes, including Nato’s Purl scheme, are working as intended – pointedly praising the US – but says more needs to be done to produce more interceptors. Share

1d ago 15.16 BST Rutte gets asked about Trump’s frustrations with Nato again, and whether the US is “splitting” the alliance. He says that’s not the case, and all changes to the US force posture in Europe get discussed and agreed with allies. “So, no worries there,” he insists. Share

1d ago 15.13 BST Back to Ankara, Rutte gets asked about the US plans to review its force posture and what it means for deterring threats from Russia, including through drones and other hybrid provocations. He says the leaders will talk about drones tomorrow and on Wednesday. He says that the changes to the Nato Force Model – which he calls “a planning tool” – make it more realistic. “What the US has done, and I think this was important, is assessed again what they can provide to Nato in case of a two theatre conflict, let’s say a conflict in the Indo-Pacific and in the Euro-Atlantic, and as General Grynkewich, the Supreme Allied Commander, has already stated, it makes us stronger that we know what we can count on. It’s not a massive drawdown in terms of what they will provide, but we now know much more exactly what the Americans can provide, and already the Europeans are backfilling.” He says it is “not sustainable” for Europe to rely on the US to defend itself, but it needs to be a balanced partnership. Share

1d ago 15.10 BST Ending Ukraine war 'much closer than people realise,' Trump says after calls with Putin, Zelenskyy Meanwhile, Donald Trump is speaking in the US on Ukraine. He says “we are getting much closer than people realise” to reaching a deal on ending the warf. “President Putin wants it to end. I will tell you that very strongly. What a good call. And president Zelenskyy actually wants it to end now. We’re going to be going to Nato, and we’re going to be talking about it, and we, I think, we’re going to get it, I think we’re going to get it ended.” He later says “we are getting close to getting it done.” Share

1d ago 15.07 BST Rutte also gets asked about Turkey’s crackdown on public life, including on journalists and activists. Turkey intensifies crackdown on public life in run-up to Nato summit in Ankara Read more He chooses his words carefully, but says “when it comes to democracy, democracy is more than elections,” but also “free media … and for people to be able to organise demonstrations if they so choose.” He says that “when it comes to media, it is very important for Nato that media can attend major events in person.” Share

1d ago 15.04 BST Rutte also gets asked about what happens if the alliance do not step up as requested. He says he doesn’t think that’s a genuine risk, and discusses a number of areas in which “the Europeans are stepping up,” as well as the Canadians. Share

1d ago 15.02 BST Rutte also gets asked about reports that British F-35 fighter jets were forced to intercept a Russian plane which had flown close to the HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier at low altitude in the Norwegian Sea. Starmer faces likely row at Nato summit after US rebuke on defence spending Read more He commends the British army for “doing exactly what needed to be done,” and criticises Russia’s “reckless” activities. Share