Putin: 'We don't have the task of taking Sumy, but I don't rule it out'
Vladimir Putin has stated that he has not tasked Russian troops with occupying the city of Sumy, but does not rule out that possibility.
Politics
MFA Ukraine responds to Peskov claiming Russia needs no truce
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.
West's resolve to force Putin to negotiate - German Foreign Minister
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.
Kyslytsia: Lasting ceasefire unlikely without Zelensky-Putin meeting
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.
Ex-US ambassador: Middle East tensions won’t reduce Washington’s focus on Ukraine
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.
Zelensky imposes sanctions on Russian drone producers
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.
Taylor says frozen Russian assets could be used to buy US weapons
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.
Zelensky discusses Ukraine support with WFP executive director
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.
Joint U.S.-European support for Ukraine will push Putin toward negotiations – Wadephul
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.
Putin has already given Trump every reason to impose new sanctions – ex-ambassador Taylor
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.
William Taylor, former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine
Sooner or later, President Trump will realize that Putin is the problem
Dutch Parliament recognizes 1944 deportation of Crimean Tatars as genocide
The Dutch House of Representatives has recognized the 1944 forced deportation of the Crimean Tatars as genocide.
Sybiha calls on governments to strengthen Russia sanctions
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha of Ukraine has welcomed the decision of 14 European countries to step up the fight against the Russian "shadow fleet" and called on all nations to stop feeding Russia’s war machine and tighten sanctions.
Russian military could be blocked from Schengen zone
On June 19, the Baltic, Nordic, and Polish interior ministers met in Tallinn, approving a joint decision to ban Russian citizens who had participated in the war against Ukraine from the Schengen zone.
Tensions in Middle East reveal Russia's hypocrisy - Sybiha
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said that tensions in the Middle East show at least two examples of Moscow's hypocrisy.
19 June 2025
Russia handing Ukraine bodies of own soldiers – interior minister presents evidence
Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko published evidence of the Russians transferring the bodies of their own military personnel along with those of fallen Ukrainians as part of the swap effort.
UNSC to hold emergency meeting amid latest wave of Russian attacks
The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on Friday, June 20, in response to the latest wave of terror and Russia's brutal attacks on Ukraine.
Sanctions by Ukraine, partners against Russia should be 100% aligned - Zelensky
President Volodymyr Zelensky held a meeting on the sanction policy against the aggressor state, where a decision was made to synchronize the restrictive measures introduced by Ukraine and its partners to continue pressure on the Russian shadow fleet, and to explore new areas of restrictions against Russia.
Xi to Putin: Use of force wrong way to settle disputes
Chinese President Xi Jinping, in a phone call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin regarding the escalation in the Middle East, stated that the use of force is not the right way to resolve international disputes.
North Korea to send 25,000 workers to Russia’s drone factory - media
North Korea is looking into sending its citizens to Russia to work at a drone factory so that the visiting workers can help increase production in exchange for gaining experience in drone operation.
Ukraine to abandon NATO ambitions only if Alliance ceases to exist – Hetmanchuk
The only reason Ukraine would abandon its ambition to become a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization would be the disappearance of NATO itself.
Dutch DM warns: Putin's imperialistic ambitions go beyond Ukraine
Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans stated that Vladimir Putin’s imperial ambitions go beyond Ukraine, aiming to restore the influence of the Soviet empire — including in the Baltic countries and other territories.
Netherlands’ DM: Strengthening of Russia’s position in Ukraine poses greater threat to NATO
Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans stated that strengthening of Russia’s position in Ukraine poses a greater threat to NATO as well and that supporting Ukraine should become an integral part of the Alliance's future defense spending.
Ruben Brekelmans, Minister of Defense of the Netherlands
We want to invest more in the Ukrainian defense industry
Russia snubbing 30-day ceasefire proposal for past 100 days - MFA Ukraine
A hundred days have passed since Russia rejected the U.S. proposal for a complete ceasefire. It is time to act and force Moscow to peace.
New Zealand imposes sanctions against citizens of Russia, Belarus, North Korea, Iran
The New Zealand government has announced new restrictions against Russian and Belarusian companies and citizens, and has also added four citizens of the DPRK and two of Iran to the sanctions list, involved in supporting Russia's war against Ukraine.
Putin says ready to meet with Zelensky, but not to sign peace deal with Ukraine’s president
Russia’s Vladimir Putin said he was ready to negotiate an end to the war with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, while dismissing the idea of signing a peace agreement with him due to his alleged "illegitimacy".
Nico Lange, German security expert
Destroying all of Russia’s bomber fleet would benefit European security
Australia imposes sanctions against Russia's shadow fleet, in first
Australia has imposed sanctions on 60 vessels from the Russian tanker fleet. In total, the country has introduced more than 1,400 sanctions against the Russian Federation.