
US will not cut off aid to Ukraine completely, but format will change – political analyst
U.S. assistance to Ukraine is not ending entirely, but it will no longer look the same as it did under President Joe Biden.
20 June 2025
U.S. assistance to Ukraine is not ending entirely, but it will no longer look the same as it did under President Joe Biden.
During the prisoner exchange on June 19, soldier Dmytro Tarasiuk of the 95th Air Assault Brigade returned home. He had been captured in May 2022 and was considered missing for one year.
The Ukrainian authorities are already preparing for the next rounds of prisoner exchanges.
On Friday, President Volodymyr Zelensky held a meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Staff, during which the situation on the front lines, including developments in the Sumy region, was discussed.
Vladimir Putin has stated that he has not tasked Russian troops with occupying the city of Sumy, but does not rule out that possibility.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has published exclusive video footage of the prisoner exchange that took place on June 20.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has stated that Russia has no intention of agreeing to a ceasefire with Ukraine, citing what he called a "strategic advantage" in the war.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine responded to the recent comment by the spokesman for the Russian President, Dmitry Peskov, that Russia has an "advantage" in the war and will not agree to a truce with Ukraine, noting that such a blatant disregard for the US's peace efforts exposes the country as weak.
The West, namely Europe and the United States, must be consistent in their support for Ukraine, in particular, military assistance, which will increase the chances that Vladimir Putin will agree to negotiations.
In Tokmak, the town temporarily captured by the Russian army, their military base came under Ukrainian attack overnight Friday.
Bulgaria has not officially refused to sell Russian equipment from the unfinished Belene NPP for the two power units at the Khmelnytskyi nuclear power plant.
In Sumy region, on the border with Russia, the enemy has somewhat reduced the activity of small assault groups.
In the Russian Federation, due to ongoing crisis, discussions are underway regarding a possible operation halt at a number of metallurgical enterprises.
Russia is trying to sow disbelief within Ukrainian society through terror. This includes intensified drone attacks against Ukrainian cities, fake and manipulative stories around the issue of POW exchange and repatriation of bodies.
The Istanbul format cannot bring about radical changes, so without a meeting between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin, it is unlikely that a lasting ceasefire can be established and the war ended.
The head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov, showed an exclusive video of the prisoner exchange that took place on June 20.
During the spring campaign, fighters from the Russian Volunteer Corps, part of Timur's Special Forces, carried out a daring assault operation and captured enemy positions.
The US will continue to focus on the need to end Russia's war against Ukraine despite new serious escalations in the Middle East, as Russia remains a problem for US national security interests in Europe.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has enacted a decision by the National Security and Defense Council to impose sanctions on individuals and entities involved in the development and production of drones in Russia, as well as those involved in schemes to circumvent sanctions.
There are not many combat clashes in the southern direction at the moment, but the enemy is regrouping and preparing to intensify combat operations in a few days.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine William Taylor believes that while it may be difficult, it is a sound and realistic goal to confiscate frozen Russian assets and use those funds to purchase U.S.-made weapons to support Ukrainian forces.
Another prisoner-of-war exchange between Ukraine and Russia has taken place, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Program (WFP), to discuss continued support for Ukraine amid ongoing Russian aggression.
Early on Friday, June 20, Russian aircraft launched an airstrike on the Derhachi community in Ukraine's eastern Kharkiv region, leaving the village of Tsupivka without electricity.
An investigative judge of the High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) has imposed pre-trial detention for a Kyiv-based real estate developer, with the option of release on bail set at UAH 100 million (approximately $2.5 million).
Europe and the United States must remain consistent in their support for Ukraine, particularly in terms of military assistance, as this will increase the chances that Vladimir Putin agrees to enter negotiations.
While U.S. President Donald Trump is trying to find common ground with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin to begin negotiating an end to the war in Ukraine, Russia has already provided ample justification for applying serious pressure to compel it toward peace.
Following another wave of Russian drone attacks on Odesa and Kharkiv, President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged international partners to strengthen sanctions against Russia's energy sector and shadow fleet, and to lower the price cap on Russian oil to $30 per barrel.
American artist Fred Grandy, who was killed during a Russian airstrike on Kyiv on June 17, had come to Ukraine as a volunteer to help clear debris from buildings destroyed by Russian attacks.