The Group of Seven (G7) nations need to impose harsher sanctions on Moscow in order to secure a ceasefire in the war against Ukraine, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa said at the start of the G7 summit in Canada.

The G7 Leaders Summit kicked off on June 15 in Kananaskis, Canada, with official talks held June 16-17. While Ukraine hopes to win economic support and unified pressure against Russia, the rapidly escalating conflict between Israel and Iran may dominate this year's conference.

"To achieve peaceful strength we must put more pressure on Russia to secure a real ceasefire, to bring Russia to the negotiating table, and to end this war. Sanctions are critical to that end," von der Leyen said at a press briefing on June 15 attended by a Kyiv Independent journalist.  

Economic sanctions have been an effective intervention since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, von der Leyen said. She noted that combined G7 and European Union sanctions have decreased Russian oil and gas revenues by nearly 80% since February 2022.

"(T)he sanctions are working, and we will do more," she said.

Von der Leyen urged the G7 to adapt the economic restrictions proposed in the EU's 18th sanctions package, announced on June 10. The new measures target Russia's energy and banking sectors and propose a further reduction in the oil price cap, bringing the cap down from $60 to $45 per barrel.

"I will invite all G7 partners to join us in this endeavor," she said.

With no new US aid packages on the horizon, can Ukraine continue to fight Russia?

The U.S. has not announced any military aid packages for Ukraine in almost five months, pushing Kyiv to seek new alternatives. But time is running out quickly as Russian troops slowly advance on the eastern front line and gear up for a new summer offensive. “While Ukraine’s dependence on

The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Hodunova

Costa echoed the call for sanctions and the necessity of economic pressure in order to achieve a ceasefire. Europe is committed to "increasing additional sanctions to cripple (Russia's) ability to wage war and pressing for an unconditional ceasefire," he said.

Europe's call for unity may meet with resistance from the United States, which has assumed a dramatically different posture towards Ukraine and Russia since President Donald Trump took office in January. Trump has not imposed any new sanctions against Russia, even Moscow blatantly obstructs peace efforts and escalates mass strikes against Ukrainian cities.

The U.S. also reportedly opposes lowering the G7 oil price cap — a measure first introduced in December 2022 that prohibits Western companies from shipping, insuring, or otherwise servicing Russian oil sold above $60 per barrel.

The price cap debate has become more urgent as oil prices, which had fallen below the $60 cap in recent months, surged following Israel's recent strikes against Iran.

Despite U.S. resistance, the EU and the United Kingdom — backed by other European G7 countries and Canada — have said they are prepared to move forward with the proposal, even without Washington's endorsement.

President Volodymyr Zelensky, on the other hand, has said the EU sanctions and proposed price cap drop don't go far enough. Zelensky on June 11 said the EU's 18th round of sanctions "could be stronger" and proposed further slashing the oil price cap to $30 per barrel.

"A ceiling of $45 per barrel of oil is better than $60, that's clear, that's true. But real peace will come with a ceiling of $30," he said. "That's the level that will really change the mindset in Moscow."

Zelensky and Trump are expected to meet on the sidelines of the G7 summit on June 17. The meeting will mark their third in-person encounter since Trump took office.

High stakes, low resolve: What Ukraine can expect from the upcoming G7 summit

As world leaders prepare to gather in the remote community of Kananaskis in Alberta, Canada for the Group of Seven (G7) Leaders’ Summit on June 15-17, Russia’s war in Ukraine once again holds center stage — but views on how to address the three-year conflict diverge sharply. In the five months

The Kyiv IndependentDmytro Basmat

The European Commission has reportedly appointed former home affairs commissioner Ylva Johansson as the EU’s special envoy for Ukrainians, a newly created position to implement its updated refugee strategy.

Politico reported on 12 June that two officials familiar with the matter confirmed Johansson’s selection. Her appointment comes as the European Union unveiled a long-term approach to manage the needs of the displaced Ukrainians.

Johansson, who served as home affairs commissioner from 2019 to 2024, previously visited Ukraine several times. Her trips included a visit to a refugee camp near the Romania border. In recognition of her efforts, she received the Ukrainian order of merit in September last year.

Refugee protection extended as part of the EU’s updated response

Last week, the European Commission extended the temporary protection status for Ukrainian refugees, reinforcing its commitment to their welfare. The EU executive detailed plans to either transition these individuals into permanent legal arrangements or assist those who choose to return to Ukraine. Johansson is expected to be at the forefront of coordinating these measures across member states.

While some European officials have expressed concerns over growing “fatigue” in certain host countries toward hosting Ukrainian refugees, others remain in favor of retaining them to strengthen local workforces. 

Ylva Johansson, former European Commissioner for Home Affairs, will serve as the European Union's new special envoy for Ukrainians in the bloc, POLITICO reported on June 12.

According to anonymous officials that spoke to POLITICO, Johansson will fill the newly created post, overseeing the Commission's long-term strategy for Ukrainian refugees currently residing in the European Union.

Johansson, a former Swedish minister and European Commission official, previously visited Ukraine on several occasions, including a refugee camp on the border with Romania. She received the Ukrainian order of merit in September 2024.

As special envoy, Johansson will be responsible for EU initiatives focused on helping Ukrainian refugees transition into permanent legal statuses or return home.

As part of these initiatives, the EU will launch "unity hubs" – information centers jointly managed with the Ukrainian government. The hubs will support Ukrainian refugees to integrate with EU host countries or repatriate to Ukraine.

Germany, which has has taken in more than 1 million Ukrainian refugees since the start of the full-scale invasion, recently committed to establishing unity hubs in Berlin. The unity hubs in Berlin will provide Ukrainians with access to educational and career opportunities both in Ukraine and Germany.

The European Commission also recently extended temporary protection Ukrainian refugees who fled to the EU following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

According to Eurostat, 4.26 million Ukrainians currently hold temporary protection status in the EU as of April 2025.

Germany to supply new Iris-T air defense systems to Ukraine, rules out Taurus missiles

Germany will deliver new IRIS-T air defense systems to Ukraine under a three-year supply plan, President Volodymyr Zelensky said during a joint press conference with German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, who said Berlin has no plans to provide Taurus long-range missiles.

The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy

Ukraine and Moldova are set to join the EU’s “Roaming Like at Home” system starting 1 January 2026, marking a symbolic move toward full EU integration. The European Union had officially granted both countries the EU candidate status in June 2022, months after Russia started its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

RFE/RL reports that Ukraine and Moldova will become part of the EU’s internal mobile market under the “Roaming Like at Home” (RLAH) system. This marks the first time Brussels has invited candidate countries to join this aspect of the EU internal market, according to RFE/RL.

The system enables their citizens to use mobile services across EU countries—and in several non-EU states including Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway—at domestic rates. The scheme, launched by the EU in 2017, is already in effect in the European Economic Area and some non-EU states where operators voluntarily comply with EU law, such as the UK.

EU diplomats described this measure as among the easiest to agree upon compared to other Ukraine-related actions, like lifting trade barriers.

Transition period and final decision

Ukraine is expected to become a permanent member of the RLAH system following a vote by EU member states scheduled for July. The transitional period will end on 1 January 2026. In July, the final extension of the temporary roaming regime will also be agreed.

In Ukraine, coverage may be limited in Russian-occupied parts of Donbas and in Crimea, which is now fully served by Russian telecom networks.

Legislative progress and compliance

Ukraine and Moldova’s integration is made possible by provisions in their association agreements with the EU. These agreements include a “mutual internal market regime” for services like mobile roaming, allowing full participation once EU laws are implemented and verified.

Both Ukraine and Moldova have worked to align national laws with EU telecommunications standards. Ukraine finalized its legislative steps in April 2025, with the European Commission receiving final confirmation on 6 June. Moldova remains a few weeks behind, but the Commission expects to receive full confirmation by the end of June.

The laws cover both technical and practical aspects such as pricing models, network specifications, and transmitter infrastructure.

The European Union is considering placing Russia on its "gray list" of countries with inadequate controls against money laundering, the Financial Times reported June 6, citing officials from the European Commission.

Inclusion on the list would damage Russia's global financial standing and compel banks to apply stricter scrutiny to transactions involving Russian individuals or entities — raising compliance costs and increasing operational burdens.

Although the decision was expected this week, the European Commission delayed a final ruling due to “administrative or procedural reasons,” according to the Financial Times. A decision is now expected early next week.

"There is huge support for putting Russia on the list," said Markus Ferber, a German MEP who oversees economic affairs for the European People's Party, the EU's main center-right bloc.

Most European Parliament members reportedly back the move, though no consensus has yet been formalized. The EU's gray list generally mirrors the assessments of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an international watchdog on money laundering and terrorism financing.

Russia's FATF membership was suspended in 2023, after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Efforts to list Russia on the grey list have faced resistance, as countries with close ties to Moscow are likely to block any formal move for enhanced monitoring.

The EU's most recent internal draft of the gray list includes countries such as Algeria, Kenya, Laos, and Venezuela. Several others — including Barbados, the United Arab Emirates, and Senegal — are expected to be removed.

If implemented, the designation would further isolate Moscow from global markets and tighten compliance obligations on any remaining cross-border financial operations involving Russian institutions.

Ukraine war latest: Ukraine strikes Russian missile base in Bryansk Oblast, damages Iskander launchers; Trump dismisses timeline to impose Russian sanctions

Key developments on June 5: * Ukraine strikes Russian missile base in Bryansk Oblast, damages Iskander launchers, Ukrainian military says * ‘Deadline is in my brain’ — Trump dismisses timeline to impose Russian sanctions * ‘Not destroyed but damaged’ — Russia claims it will repair bombers struck in Operation Spiderweb * Trump privately praises Ukraine’s drone

The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news desk

European Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius says Russia lacks the military strength often attributed to it and will not achieve victory in Ukraine, according to an interview with LRT.lt.

This comes after Russia’s massive air attack on Ukraine over the weekend, during which over 600 drones and dozens of missiles were launched from Friday to Sunday, amid ongoing US efforts at peace negotiations. These attacks were confirmed as one of the heaviest attacks of the war to date.

“Russia is not as powerful as it is sometimes thought to be, and I do not see any evidence of Russia’s great power,” Kubilius said. He emphasized that Ukraine has demonstrated remarkable resilience over three years of war.

The Commissioner outlined Europe’s growing defense spending plans. The European Union envisions investing €800 billion in defense capabilities. However, member states will need to borrow most of this money themselves.

Kubilius acknowledged the challenge of convincing countries already facing high debt levels. “This is a question of politicians and leaders taking responsibility. They have to find ways of convincing their electorate that there is a real need to invest in defence,” he said.

The Commissioner also said that European forces must be capable of holding defensive positions for approximately ten days before NATO reinforcements arrive, he explained.

He said that the American presence in European defence is likely to become smaller, as the Americans concentrate more on the Indo-Pacific.

 “450 million Europeans should not be begging 340 million Americans to protect Europe from 140 million Russians who cannot take on 38 million Ukrainians,” he said.

Kubilius revealed that only 20% of European military acquisitions come from European industry, while over 65% originate from the United States.

“We have to avoid a chaotic divorce” with America while preparing for reduced US involvement, he said.

Regarding China, Kubilius described it as an authoritarian state but distinguished it from Russia. “There is a big difference between those authoritarian states that because of their size and geopolitical weight do not try to become aggressive,” he explained.

The Commissioner revealed details about Western support for Ukraine. America has provided €60 billion in military aid over three years, while the European Union contributed about €50 billion. Including Britain and Norway, European support also reaches approximately €60 billion.

He characterized this spending level as modest relative to economic output. Annual support totals about €20 billion from each side, representing less than 0.1% of GDP for both America and Europe.

The Commissioner outlined potential scenarios if American support withdraws. Europe maintains clear positions on the war and will never recognize occupied territories, he stated.

Kubilius said tha the fundamental commitment to supporting Ukraine remains essential, he argued, despite Russian efforts to create confusion through hybrid warfare tactics.

He sees opportunities for increased European support. “I am not convinced that 0.1% of GDP is the limit,” Kubilius said, suggesting room for higher contribution levels from member states.

The Commissioner concluded that European leadership must demonstrate clarity amid uncertainty about American policy directions. “It is good that, in the confusion caused by the new American administration, there is an effort in Europe to show much clearer leadership,” he said.