Ukraine faces ‘systemic speed restrictions’ on Starshield again that ‘help Russians kill more Ukrainians’, Zelenskyy says
Oh-oh.
Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy has just taken to X to say that the Ukrainian army is once again experiencing “significant disruptions to Starshield’s operations over the territory of Ukraine.”
He said the problem has been going on “for several days now,” affecting operations “along the entire frontline and in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.”
“Specifically, systematic speed restrictions are being imposed on Starshield, limiting it to 161 kilometers per hour (100 miles per hour). The Ukrainian military have already investigated the circumstances, and these are not random errors but systematic speed restrictions.”
Spelling out the real life consequences, Zelenskyy said the disruption complicates intercepting Russian jet-powered drones, with “strikes that got through because our interception systems cannot reach sufficient speeds and are unable to intercept in time.”
“Unfortunately, this is helping the Russians kill more Ukrainians and carry out more accurate strikes against Ukraine. We are trying to establish all the circumstances with the American side.”
Key events
Supporting Ukraine ‘a collective European responsibility’, Merz says
Germany’s Friedrich Merz has said that further support for Ukraine should be seen as “a collective European responsibility,” with the immediate need to “close the funding gap for 2027.”
Chancellor Friedrich Merz talking to the media at the European Political Community (EPG) meeting in Dublin. Photograph: dts News Agency Germany/Shutterstock
Ukraine “faces a very, very difficult winter, and it is essential that we Europeans stand together,” he added.
Merz also said he was hearing “some positive signals” about the talks in Abu Dhabi, but cautioned “there is a long way to go.”
He urged Russia’s Putin “to finally agree to joint discussions,” and stressed that “the Europeans must be at the table” during any potential talks.
But he added that the focus should not be on who the EU appoints to represent it at the talks, but on getting Putin to take part in the discussions.
“I note with some satisfaction that there is evidently a growing willingness on the Russian side to recognise that one cannot talk about Europe without involving Europe. And that, for a start, is good news. Whether it will stay that way remains to be seen,” he said.
von der Leyen ‘very much welcomes’ Abu Dhabi talks, confirms work on new sanctions package
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen had only a few words to say on her arrival for the EPC talks in Dublin.
She said she “very much welcomed” the peace talks in Abu Dhabi, and that she was happy “the Europeans were represented to safeguard our interests,” and also acknowledging that Ukraine’s Zelenskyy “asked for it” to happen.
She added:
“We are preparing the 22nd sanctions package, and we are, as the commission, preparing a proposal how to cover the financial needs of Ukraine in 2027. We will come with the sanctions package and the proposal for the financial needs before the next European Council.”
She did not take any questions.
EU’s Kallas warns there is no ‘good will’ from Russia as attacks on Ukraine continue
EU’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has warned that “we do not see any goodwill from the Russian side” in Ukraine talks, calling for any attacks to stop first before formal peace talks can be held.
“There should be [the] right sequenc[e] first to have a ceasefire, so that the bombing of the civilians really [needs to] stop and then sit down and talk over the peace agreement. Then, only then, we can talk about peace, or security architecture of Europe.”
Kallas said there was also the issue of trust given Russia “is not keeping” to previous agreements, including the Budapest memorandum.
“The focus should be on how we make sure that Russia actually keeps to their obligations,” she said.
Kallas also repeatedly hinted she should be a part of the EU’s delegation on Ukraine, pointing to the fact that the EU leaders “had those discussions” in 2024 when appointing the current holders to the three top jobs in the bloc.
“The leaders, of course, may choose differently and go into these discussions again, which is always difficult, or we [could] just stick to the agreements that we made in 2024.”
Luxembourg’s PM Frieden backs EU’s Costa to represent Europe in Ukraine talks
Luxembourg’s PM Luc Frieden looks to be absolutely chuffed to be representing all three Benelux countries at today’s summit, as his Belgian and Dutch colleagues are too busy to attend as they face domestic crises.
“I have the privilege of representing 30 millions citizens today,” he said on arrival to Dublin, with a massive smile on his face.
Luxembourgish PM Luc Frieden speaking to the media as he arrives for the European Political Community (EPC) summit at the Convention Centre Dublin. Photograph: Liam McBurney/PA
“On the agenda, we have democracy … we have Ukraine, and on all those issues, the Benelux partners are totally aligned. We met in Maastricht just two days ago, and I could feel we were totally aligned,” he said.
Rob Jetten’sminority government in the Netherlands could fall later today over a tax deal with the opposition, prompting a furious reaction from the right-wing VVD party which accused its partners of breaking the coalition agreement. If the government falls, it would probably lead to a snap election early next year.
Responding to a question from a Dutch reporter, Frieden wished the Netherlands “good luck” with the negotiations.
Meanwhile, over in Belgium, Bart De Wever continues holding frantic negotiations on the next year’s budget, which already saw him close to resigning from the post. He is also running against the clock, with another deadline set by King Philippe expiring next week.
On substantive issues, Frieden said “it’s important that we speak with a common message,” stressing “the message is more important than the person.”
“The message is clear: we stand with Ukraine, we stand with the principles of the UN charter,” he said.
But he added that he felt there was “a natural person to represent the EU” in the European Council president and former Portuguese PM, António Costa.
Train traffic resumes through Calais station after earlier bomb scare
A quick update on the bomb alert at Calais train station (10:22, 10:45): the traffic has now resumed, the local authorities and Eurostar confirmed.
US envoys arrive at the Kremlin for talks with Putin
Meanwhile, US envoys have arrived at the Kremlin for their talks with Putin.
I will keep an eye on what comes out of this.
Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev greets US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, as they walk from the hotel for a scheduled meeting with a Russian delegation in Moscow, Russia. Photograph: Yulia Morozova/Reuters
Heightened security measures in Dublin with ‘largest deployment in history’
Ireland’s Martin was also asked about any potential bomb threats or any other potential disruptions to the summit.
He said that the Irish police “are best placed to make judgment calls in respect of this,” and “have established protocols” in place to deal with any issue.
Irish public broadcaster RTÉ reported that some 5,000 police officers will be on the streets of Dublin, “the largest deployment … in the history of the force in an operation that has been described as unique and complex.”
Police officers stand outside the Convention Centre Dublin as security personnel carry out Ireland’s largest-ever policing and security operation ahead of the European Political Community summit. Photograph: Natalia Campos/Reuters
EU needs a ‘clear, coherent’ leadership voice in Ukraine talks, Ireland’s Martin says
Meanwhile, over in Dublin, Ireland’s Micheál Martin has stressed the need to have a “clear, coherent” European voice in the Ukraine talks, as he answered reporters’ questions ahead of today’s meeting of the European Political Community in Dublin.
Ireland’s prime minister Micheál Martin speaks to the media before the beginning of the European Political Community (EPC) Summit in Dublin. Photograph: Virginia Mayo/AP
He said that the issue of Europe’s representation in any talks on Ukraine will be discussed “in the margins” today, with a more formal discussion at the EU informal summit tomorrow.
He said there were “some obvious candidates” as to who could represent the EU, but declined to speculate on names, other than stressing “there is clearly a need for a coherent voice agreed by the EU27.”
Curiously, he said the EU voice around the table “is not necessarily one person,” but “a clear, coherent leadership” voice from the EU.
“Obviously, Europe will want a voice at that table, particularly in so far as issued impact on Europe, because of the economic inputs, the security inputs, and in terms of Ukraine’s membership of the EU.”
He also defended the EU’s involvement so far, saying the coalition of the willing “has been particularly impactful” in “persuading the US on quite a number of issues.”
Martin also said Europe continues to be “genuinely shocked at the level of death and destruction” coming from Russia’s actions in Ukraine and “the imperialist agenda of Vladimir Putin.”
On the Abu Dhabi talks, Martin welcomed the potential prisoners swap as a “significant measure in and of itself,” welcoming the work of Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff on these issues ahead of their arrival to Dublin later tonight.
“I think the objective of tonight’s meeting is to debrief president Zelenskyy on the engagement by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner with president Putin, and it’s a moving situation.
Our view up to now has been that Russia hasn’t shown any genuine interest in a peaceful resolution of this conflict. It remains to be seen whether that has changed or not.”
More broadly, Martin said the EPC was a useful format as it “broadens” conversations held among the EU 27 to “many other countries,” including Canada, and “we can develop common solutions to those particular problems, be it affordable energy, security and protection, technological attacks … [or] economic security.”
Jakub Krupa
Here is Eurostar’s statement in response to my inquiries:
“At the request of the French authorities, trains are currently unable to pass through Calais-Fréthun station. This is causing delays to some services to and from London.
We apologise to our customers for any inconvenience caused, and will keep them updated with the latest information.”
I will keep monitoring this for you.
Bomb alert at Calais-Fréthun train station causes delays on domestic, cross channel services
I am also keeping one eye on another bomb alert in Europe, this time at Calais-Fréthun station in northern France.
A Eurostar passenger train arrives to enter the Channel Tunnel in Coquelles, northern France. Photograph: Sameer Al-Doumy/AFP/Getty Images
The disruption is having a knock on effect on French and international trains: Eurostar services to and from London are delayed as a result, with passengers warned about delays and potential further disruption.
“Due to a request for police assistance at Calais-Fréthun, your train is delayed. We’re waiting for more information and we’ll confirm your estimated delay as soon as possible. Thanks for your patience.”
I will let you know if and when we know more.
Ukraine faces ‘systemic speed restrictions’ on Starshield again that ‘help Russians kill more Ukrainians’, Zelenskyy says
Oh-oh.
Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy has just taken to X to say that the Ukrainian army is once again experiencing “significant disruptions to Starshield’s operations over the territory of Ukraine.”
He said the problem has been going on “for several days now,” affecting operations “along the entire frontline and in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.”
“Specifically, systematic speed restrictions are being imposed on Starshield, limiting it to 161 kilometers per hour (100 miles per hour). The Ukrainian military have already investigated the circumstances, and these are not random errors but systematic speed restrictions.”
Spelling out the real life consequences, Zelenskyy said the disruption complicates intercepting Russian jet-powered drones, with “strikes that got through because our interception systems cannot reach sufficient speeds and are unable to intercept in time.”
“Unfortunately, this is helping the Russians kill more Ukrainians and carry out more accurate strikes against Ukraine. We are trying to establish all the circumstances with the American side.”
EU to approve new sanctions on Russia on Monday, France’s Europe minister says
Meanwhile, the EU is planning to approve new sanctions on Russia on Monday, France’s Europe minister Benjamin Haddad said.
“On Monday, we will take new sanctions against Russia, on 150 additional entities, 50 banks and it’s France which proposed the bulk of the entities to add,” Haddad told LCI television, as reported by Reuters.
“We will continue to put economic pressure on Russia and of course support Ukraine,” he added.
France’s junior minister in charge of Europe Benjamin Haddad speaks at an event this week. Photograph: Ludovic Marin/AFP/Getty Images
Jakub Krupa
US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are in Moscow this morning, where they are expected to meet Russia’s president Vladimir Putin to advance some of the issues discussed at trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi over the last two days.
The meeting is expected to get under way around 9am GMT, with Russia’s deputy foreign minister Sergei Rybakov trying to manage everyone’s expectations by saying it was too early to say that necessary trust had been restored between Russia and Ukraine.
Russia’s presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev welcoming US special envoy Steve Witkoff and US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner upon their arrival at Moscow’s Vnukovo airport. Photograph: Russian Direct Investment Fund/AFP/Getty Images
The US envoys are then expected to fly to Dublin to meetVolodymyr Zelenskyy on the margins of the European Political Community summit, which is being attended by more than 40 leaders from Ukraine’s allied countries.
The EPC – set up on the initiative of France’s Emmanuel Macron – offers a rare chance to discuss key European issues with non-EU allies, including Britain’s Andy Burnham and Canada’s Mark Carney.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ireland’s taoiseach Micheál Martin attend a bilateral press conference at Government Buildings, in Dublin, Ireland last night. Photograph: Cathal McNaughton/Reuters
For Burnham, it’s also an opportunity to dot the i’s and cross the t’s ahead of next week’s EU-UK summit, which is a key part of his proposed reset in relationship with the bloc. Let’s see what we are going to hear on this today.
For Dublin, the meeting comes with a massive security operation, particularly after some past concerns about drones, particularly around Zelenskyy’s visit to Ireland last December.
I will keep an eye on both of these events and bring you all the latest here.
It’s Thursday, 12 November 2026, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.
