Burnham to take Zelenskyy’s pleas for Patriot missiles to Trump – Europe live

We are seeing the first reports of German chancellor Friedrich Merz’s statement this morning ahead of a cabinet meeting in Brandenburg.

He has spoken out for the first time about the attempted drone attack on Leipzig airport earlier this month. As my colleagues Deborah Cole and Andrew Roth reported at the time, a small drone carrying explosives was found at Leipzig/Halle airport, a major cargo and military logistics hub that handles aid shipments to Ukraine. The incident triggered an alarm and forced several flights to be diverted. German police deployed a bomb disposal robot to defuse and destroy the explosive device, which was found in the vicinity of several Ukrainian cargo planes.

Merz said Germany has “increasingly come into the crosshairs of hybrid attackers” and that perpetrators must face consequences. “They will pay for it,” Merz said, according to the German newspaper Die Welt.

Merz said ‌his government was “working closely with the security authorities” on the matter, and that it will present its findings “shortly”.

Local media, citing security sources, have reported potential Russian involvement ​in the ​attempted attack, but Merz did not comment on the possible perpetrators.

In other news, at least ۳۵,۰۰۰ more people died during Europe’s record-breaking heatwaves this summer than would normally be expected, the Guardian’s Europe correspondent Jon Henley reports.

According to provisional national figures, which cover barely half of the continent, excess mortality in three of the EU’s larger countries – Germany, France and Spain – has already exceeded ۲۵,۰۰۰, as experts warn the toll will rise significantly once August totals are consolidated.

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Zelenskyy has been thanking world leaders individually on X for their messages of support on Ukraine’s independence day (۳۵, and counting). Here is his message to King Charles and Queen Camilla:

Warm and sincere Independence Day wishes from His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty The Queen are deeply moving and exceptionally meaningful.

I am grateful for the emphasis on Ukraine’s history, rich culture, and unyielding national spirit, as well as the resilience of the Ukrainian people, who continue to defend their homeland and uphold the values that define our state.

The steadfast friendship between Ukraine and the United Kingdom remains an invaluable wellspring of strength for our nation.

We are sincerely grateful for the constant solidarity shown by the British people. Our special bond is built upon our shared commitment to freedom, democracy, and justice.

I wish His Majesty good health and continued success, as well as peace and prosperity for the United Kingdom and its people.”

It’s worth reading Zelenskyy’s social media post about Trump in full (particularly the last line). Here is what he wrote on X:

I received warm and heartening congratulations from President Trump on the ۳۵th Anniversary of the Restoration of Ukraine’s Independence:

“Dear Mr. President:

On behalf of the American people, I congratulate you and the citizens of Ukraine on your Independence Day. August ۲۴ is a day to celebrate our enduring friendship built on ۳۵ years of diplomatic relations, a bond that has only deepened since Ukraine gained its independence.

With courageous, brave, and talented people, you have built a great country. As you commemorate this important occasion, know that the United States stands in admiration of your resilient spirit, honors your sacrifices, and remains confident in your future as a sovereign, prosperous nation.

Let us seize this moment to end the conflict and build a durable, lasting peace that unleashes the tremendous potential of Ukraine for generations to come.

Sincerely,

Donald J. Trump”

These words, much like the sound of a Patriot PAC-۳ launch, lift our spirits and give hope that lives can be protected from Russia’s savage attacks and that a dignified peace can be achieved. Thank you, President Trump and all Americans, for your support and congratulations!”

Hello, and welcome to our Europe live blog. A day after hosting world leaders in Ukraine for the country’s independence day celebrations, president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has taken to social media with a flurry of posts thanking those who sent their best wishes, including Donald Trump.

The Ukrainian president appeared to make a pointed nod to one of his most pressing requests, saying Trump’s message of support lifted spirits “much like the sound of a Patriot PAC-۳ launch”. The US Patriot air defence system has been instrumental in protecting Ukraine’s cities from Russian attacks, but stocks are running dangerously low. The shortage has been compounded by the US and Israel’s war on Iran, with Patriot interceptors diverted to defend US bases and regional allies in the Middle East, leaving fewer available for Ukraine as Russia continues to launch waves of ballistic missiles.

In his first international trip as prime minister, Andy Burnham arrived in Kyiv yesterday where he announced the UK government will release the blueprints for British-made components for the Scalp missile, a French version of the UK’s Storm Shadow cruise missile, allowing Ukraine to work with France to produce its own version.

“Ukraine has been Europe’s protector, not a drain on our security, but the frontline of keeping Europe safe,” Burnham said.

In an interview with Bloomberg, Burnham said he would travel to the New York next month to join European leaders lobbying Trump to supply Ukraine with Patriot missiles. If it goes ahead, it would be his first trip to the US as prime minister.

Burnham said he was “really optimistic” that Ukraine’s interceptor shortage was “fixable”, but added: “There are other players who could help in the mix who we have influence with. It’s probably going to be a solution that involves a lot of layers and a lot of negotiation.”

Also today:

• European council president, António Costa, is on his way to Slovakia as part of his annual tour of European capitals. He is scheduled to hold talks in Bratislava with prime minister Robert Fico, who has not been as forthcoming as other European leaders on military aid to Ukraine.

• Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov will host the Vatican’s most senior diplomat, Paul Gallagher, for talks in Moscow. The official Vatican News described the four-day visit as “a mission of dialogue and peace”, but made no mention of whether Ukraine would be on the agenda.

• German chancellor Friedrich Merz is back from summer recess and is meeting with his ministers in Brandenburg this morning. He faces a crucial test at the polls next month, with his party under pressure to hold ground against the surging far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). The AfD has a real chance of taking power in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt on ۶ September – one of three state elections taking place this autumn – in what could be a major blow to Merz’s coalition.