Ukrainians and Americans organized an emergency demonstration at Times Square demanding more US action against Russia following a massive Russian attack on Ukraine that killed more than two dozen people on 17 June.

The rally took place on the evening of 17 June, with demonstrators carrying Ukrainian flags and signs reading “Google Kyiv today,” “‘Ceasefire’ – they said,” and “Sanctions against Russia – now,” according to protest participants Vsevolod Myrnyi and Marichka Hlyten.

Myrnyi called on participants to contact their elected officials.

“Call your representatives and senators. Tell them: ‘We demand more sanctions against Russia. We demand air defense systems for Ukraine. We demand more military aid – weapons that help save lives,'” he wrote.

He emphasized that Ukraine is defending itself while Russia targets civilian buildings, and noted that while Congress already has many supporters for Ukraine, constituent voices help drive action.

The demonstration responded to a Russian assault on the night of 17 June that targeted Kyiv and multiple Ukrainian oblasts. Russian forces launched 440 drones and 32 missiles against Ukraine, striking Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, Chernihiv, Zhytomyr, Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, and Kyiv.

Ukrainian air defenses destroyed most of the incoming targets, but hits were recorded in 10 locations, with debris from downed objects falling in 34 locations. In Kyiv, 28 people died and 134 were injured, with the death toll from a missile strike on a 9-story residential building reaching 23 people.

In Odesa, a 60-year-old woman was killed and 17 people wounded, with damage to residential buildings, an inclusive center, a preschool, and garages.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told G7 leaders that Russia intensified its nightly drone attacks as “the only real change” since Trump returned to the White House, with Moscow now routinely deploying 100 drones per night compared to what would have been shocking levels a year ago.

The Ukrainian leader argued this escalation proves supporters of stronger sanctions are “absolutely right.” While Trump told reporters at the G7 summit he would not approve new sanctions against Russia, citing costs to the US, Zelenskyy called for a $30 per barrel price cap on Russian oil and $40 billion in annual budget support for Ukraine.

The US is currently blocking European efforts to lower the existing $60 per barrel price cap to $45, despite EU and UK pressure to reduce Moscow’s war funding, with Zelenskyy arguing that “Russia blocked all efforts” at ceasefire negotiations and continues military operations without adequate consequences.

US Special Representative for Ukraine Keith Kellogg is planning to visit Belarus in the coming days to meet with President Alexander Lukashenko, according to Reuters citing four sources briefed on the matter.

If the visit occurs, Kellogg would become the highest-ranking American official to visit Belarus in years. Two sources told Reuters that Kellogg has privately described the trip as a step that could help restart peace talks aimed at ending Russia’s war against Ukraine.

The meeting’s precise agenda remains unclear and planning for such visits requires careful negotiation. The trip could potentially be canceled or modified at the last minute, the sources indicated.

The last high-level US official visit to Belarus was in 2020 when then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo traveled there. Since then, visits have been limited to lower-ranking officials, such as the February 2025 trip by Deputy Assistant Secretary Christopher W. Smith, aimed at securing the release of political prisoners.

The potential visit represents a shift in US-Belarus relations. The US suspended operations at its embassy in Belarus in 2022 after it became clear that Minsk would support Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Biden administration had distanced itself from Belarus following the 2020 election, which international observers condemned as neither free nor fair, and the subsequent crackdown on street protests.

One US official told Reuters that the Trump administration has internally discussed ways to pull Minsk away from Moscow’s influence, even if only marginally. However, Western diplomats have expressed skepticism about US efforts to court Belarus, which maintains strong alignment and economic ties with Russia.

Kellogg’s visit comes after two recent Istanbul meetings between Ukrainian and Russian delegations that were focused on trying to find an end to the war. Both of the resulted mainly in massive prisoner exchanges but little progress on a ceasefire.

During Istanbul talks on 2 June, Russia presented Ukraine with a memorandum outlining its conditions for peaceful settlement. These demands include: 

• Ukrainian military withdrawal from four occupied regions (some parts of which are not even occupied fully).
• written guarantees from Western leaders to halt “NATO’s eastward expansion”, effectively excluding Ukraine, Georgia, and other former Soviet states from membership
• Ukraine adopting a neutral status and limitations on Ukraine’s armed forces.
• partial lifting of Western sanctions
• resolution of frozen Russian assets abroad
• protections for Russian speakers in Ukraine.

Ukraine rejected these demands, insisting on its sovereign right to choose alliances and strong Western security guarantees.

In contrast, Ukraine presented its own ceasefire proposals, as reported by Financial Times journalist Christopher Miller.

These include:

• complete cessation of hostilities 
• confidence-building measures such as the return of deported children and prisoner exchanges
• security assurances
• direct talks between Zelenskyy and Putin
• international community involvement while maintaining Ukrainian sovereignty. 

U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg will meet Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in the coming days, Reuters reported on June 17, citing four sources familiar with the matter.

Kellogg will meet Lukashenko in a visit to Belarus as peace talks to bring an end to Russia's war against Ukraine remain inconclusive, Reuters reported.

In February, U.S. Deputy Assistant State Secretary Christopher W. Smith visited Belarus alongside two other U.S. officials to conduct a prisoner swap in a similar unannounced visit.

Lukashenko has been in power since 1994 and has been accused of staging fraudulent elections in Belarus. The leader declared a seventh consecutive presidential election victory in January.

Kellogg has given the impression that the meeting could help reinitiate largely unsuccessful peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, two sources told Reuters.

Lukashenko is seen as a key ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin as Russia faces isolation in response to its full-scale war against Ukraine.

The White House has discussed ways to weaken Russia's influence on Minsk and bring Belarus closer to the United States, one of the sources said.

On Feb. 12, Smith drove to Belarus from Lithuania following a phone call with Lukashenko. The small U.S. delegation visited a border town where three political prisoners were transferred, including one U.S. citizen and two Belarusian citizens, the New York Times reported.

Lukashenko assured he was ready to decrease repression in Belarus, Smith said, adding that the U.S. wants Belarus to be less reliant on Russia.

Belarus has faced Western sanctions following a presidential election in 2020 that international observers condemned as fraudulent. The sham election garnered mass protests that rejected the results.

Minsk refused to invite a mission from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to observe the country's Jan. 26 presidential election.

Belarus further isolated itself from the West as it supports Russia in its ongoing war against Ukraine.

‘He said he wasn’t going anywhere’ — Survivors search for missing following Russia’s deadliest attack on Kyiv this year

Sitting a few meters from the rubble of what used to be a nondescript nine-story residential building in Kyiv, Lilia rises to her feet every time another pile of debris is cleared from the site targeted by Russia during a mass overnight attack on June 17. “We are waiting (as

The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Denisova

An uninsured Russian Aframax-class tanker has been illegally conducting ship-to-ship oil transfers in international waters near Greece and Cyprus since July 2024, Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) reported on June 16.

According to the agency, the vessel, operating without Western insurance, is part of Russia's expanding shadow fleet used to bypass G7 and EU sanctions on Russian oil exports.

HUR said such transfers "pose an environmental threat, allow the aggressor to conceal the origin of oil, evade international control, and ensure its supply to third countries in circumvention of sanctions."

Ukraine has identified the tanker as IMO 9247443 and listed it on the War&Sanctions platform, along with 159 other tankers allegedly belonging to Russia's shadow fleet and 55 captains involved in sanction-busting operations.

Despite price caps and Western restrictions, Russia continues to profit from oil and gas exports, which remain a vital revenue source. According to HUR estimates, roughly one-third of those profits are expected to fund Russia's war against Ukraine in 2025.

In May, the EU approved its 17th sanctions package, targeting nearly 200 shadow fleet vessels. The U.S. Treasury had earlier sanctioned over 180 tankers, which together accounted for nearly half of Russia's offshore oil shipments.

While the Biden administration ramped up pressure on Russia's oil trade early in 2024, U.S. President Donald Trump has since declined to impose new sanctions, despite Moscow's continued refusal to agree to a ceasefire.

EU leaders call for tougher sanctions on Russia at G7 summit

“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,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.

The Kyiv IndependentAbbey Fenbert

On US President Donald Trump’s birthday, millions of Americans participated in coordinated “No Kings” protests across nearly 2,000 locations nationwide. The participants voiced opposition to President Donald Trump while advocating for democracy and immigrant rights protection.

The demonstrations were organized by the 50501 Movement, which takes its name from “50 states, 50 protests, one movement,” according to CBS News. 

Organizers stated the protests aimed to reject what they termed authoritarianism, billionaire-first politics, and militarization of democracy. 

Demonstrators gathered in major cities including Seattle, Atlanta, New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Denver and Houston, among others, the Associated Press reports. 

Additionally, protesters assembled in cities ranging from small towns to major metropolitan areas, with Seattle alone drawing over 70,000 participants.

Given this scope, Republican governors in Virginia, Texas, Nebraska and Missouri mobilized National Guard forces to assist law enforcement agencies in managing the demonstrations.

Lawmaker assassination prompts protest cancellation in Minnesota

Minnesota officials canceled all scheduled “No Kings” protests after state Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed, while state Senator John Hoffman and his wife were wounded in politically motivated overnight shootings targeting Democratic lawmakers. Police found “No Kings” fliers and a list of potential targets in the suspect’s vehicle.

Texas state legislators received credible threats ahead of the planned Austin capitol protest, leading to one arrest by the state’s Department of Public Safety.

Trump organizes military parade on his birthday

The demonstrations coincided with Trump’s attendance at a military parade in Washington marking the Army’s 250th anniversary, which also falls on the president’s birthday. The parade involved hundreds of military vehicles, aircraft and thousands of soldiers, with costs estimated at $45 million.

The celebration, however, drew far fewer spectators than the predicted 200,000, with many viewing areas remaining empty.

About 200 protesters assembled at Logan Circle in northwest Washington, chanting “Trump must go now” and displaying a large puppet depicting Trump wearing a crown and sitting on a golden toilet, according to the AP. 

The No Kings Coalition stated after Saturday’s events:

“Today, across red states and blue, rural towns and major cities, Americans stood in peaceful unity and made it clear: we don’t do kings.”

Previous anti-Trump Hands off protests 

In April 2025, tens of thousands of people across all 50 US states and in major cities throughout Europe staged “Hands Off!” protests against President Donald Trump and his ally Elon Musk, voicing opposition to sweeping government overhauls, mass federal layoffs, and aggressive cuts to social programs led by the newly created Department of Government Efficiency headed by Musk.

The largely peaceful demonstrations demanded an end to what they called a “billionaire power grab,” condemned attacks on immigrants and marginalized communities, and criticized the administration’s moves to downsize government and restrict rights.

Countries are losing trust in Washington. Retired US Army General Ben Hodges told Ukrinform that recent military operations by Ukraine and Israel against enemy targets reflect a growing distrust in the US by both countries.

Hodges says he believes the Israelis also do not trust the Trump administration because they did not ask permission or inform the Trump administration directly before the operation. Similarly, Ukrainian forces did not do this immediately before Operation Spiderweb. 

He emphasizes that this is a negative result for the US, but he does not blame Israel for its decision.

At the same time, the general hopes that Washington will support Jerusalem and help “finish the job,” which could lead to the elimination of the nuclear threat from Iran.

Another important lesson from Israel’s strikes is that Russia “did nothing” to assist Iran, once again proving its unreliability. He added that although Iran provided military assistance to Russia, it is currently unknown whether this continues and to what extent.

When asked about the possibility of US troop withdrawal from Europe, the general didn’t rule it out, but believes it is unlikely to happen in the near term.

Europe extends protection for Ukrainians as Russia intensifies attacks on towns and cities. The Council of the European Union has endorsed the European Commission’s proposal to extend temporary protection for over 4 million Ukrainians until 4 March 2027. These individuals have taken refuge in the EU, fleeing Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine.

What has been decided:

• The protection status is extended for one year, from 2026 to 2027 
• The conditions remain unchanged: Ukrainians retain their rights to residence, education, healthcare, and employment
• No new restrictions or exclusions have been introduced

While Russia continues to terrorize Ukraine’s civilian population with indiscriminate airstrikes, the European Union reaffirms its solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

“We will continue to offer protection for millions of Ukrainian refugees for another year,” emphasizes Polish Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak.

Poland, which currently holds the rotating EU Council presidency, also initiated discussions on a strategy for phasing out temporary protection, once peace is achieved. In the coming months, the EU will work toward joint, coordinated decisions on this matter, particularly regarding the return of refugees to Ukraine.

Since March 2022, the EU has granted shelter to more than 4 million Ukrainian refugees under the Temporary Protection Directive. This protection was originally set to expire on 4 March 2026, but will now be extended by another year.

The extension does not alter the scope of the original March 2022 decision—the rights of those eligible for temporary protection remain unchanged.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Europe must begin preparing for a gradual reduction in U.S. military support for both the continent and Ukraine, Tagesschau reported on June 13.

"Yes, that's right. That would be so, and we have to deal with that," Pistorius told journalists in response to a question about the U.S. potentially scaling down its support. He noted that the discussions focus on a reduction in U.S. backing rather than a full halt.

The comments come after U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that Washington would reduce the assistance allocated to Ukraine in the next year's federal budget.

"We now have to look at how much support drops and whether Europeans can compensate for it," Pistorius added.

While the U.S. has been Ukraine's leading military backer under former President Joe Biden, the Trump administration has yet to approve any aid packages and has become increasingly disengaged from peace talks.

Pistorius's comments come amid increasing uncertainty in transatlantic relations. U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker confirmed on May 16 that the United States plans to begin discussions with European allies later this year about reducing its military presence on the continent.

Speaking at a security conference in Estonia, Whitaker said the talks would begin after the NATO summit in The Hague in June.

"Nothing has been determined," Whitaker said, according to Reuters. "But as soon as we do, we are going to have these conversations in the structure of NATO."

Whitaker emphasized that any drawdown would be closely coordinated to avoid creating security gaps. Still, he reiterated U.S. President Donald Trump's position that long-standing U.S. efforts to reduce its European military footprint must now be implemented.

"This is going to be orderly, but we are not going to have any more patience for foot-dragging in this situation," he said.

In February, Hegseth reportedly told NATO allies that "stark strategic realities" prevent the United States from being primarily focused on Europe's security. Leaks reported by the Atlantic in March revealed that both Hegseth and Vice President JD Vance privately criticized European defense spending, with Hegseth allegedly expressing his "loathing of European free-loading."

Trump called on NATO member states to increase defense spending up to 5% of GDP. Ahead of the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague on June 24–25, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that member states will have agreed to a new goal of increasing defense spending.

"We are headed for a summit in six weeks in which virtually every member of NATO will be at or above 2%, but more importantly, many of them will be over 4%, and all will have agreed on a goal of reaching 5% over the next decade," Rubio told Fox News on May 15.

Such a move would mark a historic shift, with NATO partners collectively accounting for more than half of the alliance's military capacity, according to Rubio.

Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine in 2022, NATO members have significantly increased their defense spending, with countries like Poland and the Baltic nations aiming to reach the 5% target in the coming years.

Ukraine bracing for ‘painful’ reduction in US military aid after Hegseth announces cuts

Editor’s note: For security reasons, the real names of the soldiers mentioned in this story have not been used. A reduction in U.S. military aid to Ukraine would be “painful” and could have potentially “dire consequences” for the global order, Ukrainian lawmakers and soldiers have told the Kyiv Independent.

The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Hodunova

Germany will not supply Ukraine with long-range Taurus cruise missiles, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius confirmed during a visit to Kyiv on 12 June.

Speaking at a joint briefing with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Pistorius gave a direct response when asked about potential missile deliveries amid intensifying Russian attacks on Ukraine.

“You asked me whether we are considering this, I answer you — no,” Pistorius stated.

Former Chancellor Olaf Scholz categorically opposed providing the cruise missiles to Ukraine, arguing that such transfers risked drawing Germany directly into the Russian-Ukrainian war. In late 2024, Scholz said that “a German missile that can reach Moscow” and this would carry unacceptable risks.

Merz, by contrast, supported supplying these weapons systems to Ukraine even before assuming the chancellorship. He defended his position claiming that this step would significantly enhance Ukraine’s ability to strike Russian military targets and supply lines up to 500 km (310 miles) away, helping it defend against Russia’s unlawful aggression. 

Germany pledges €9 billion in military aid to Ukraine

Pistorius also stated that Germany plans to allocate €9 billion in military aid to Ukraine for 2025, with portions of this funding designated for long-range weapons production.

“Supporting Ukraine is the task of all European peoples. We must take responsibility and recognize that this is not only Ukraine’s defense. Ukraine is fighting this war to ensure peace in Europe, so helping is our common task,” Pistorius stated.

Pistorius emphasized the effectiveness of Ukrainian drone technology and the technological expertise Ukraine has developed during its defense against Russian aggression.

“We all must learn from this. And I think that in the industrial sector we must also develop. Therefore, it’s about joint ventures that we want to build. We want more of these joint ventures both in Germany and in Ukraine in order to produce weapons faster for the common good and thus strengthen deterrence potential and defense potential,” he explained.

Zelenskyy and Pistorius discussed localizing air defense system production in Ukraine and agreed on additional investments in defense manufacturing. The leaders committed to expanding joint weapons production in both countries.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to include Germany's announcement to supply Ukraine with $2.2 billion in additional military aid.

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 added Berlin has no plans to provide Taurus long-range missiles.

The announcement comes amid escalating Russian aerial assaults, including a June 10 missile and drone strike on Kyiv, one of the largest since the start of the full-scale invasion.

"We are grateful for the supply of IRIS-T air defense systems," Zelensky said on June 12. "We understand that deliveries are currently being planned... for the next three years. This is very important assistance."

The IRIS-T is a German-made medium-range surface-to-air missile system capable of intercepting drones, aircraft, and cruise missiles.

Pistorius confirmed the delivery timeline but firmly ruled out the possibility of sending Taurus missiles — weapons Kyiv has repeatedly requested to strike deep into Russian territory.

"You asked me whether we are considering this, and my answer is no," Pistorius said.

Before taking office, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz signaled openness to lifting former Chancellor Olaf Scholz's ban on the missiles. That stance has not yet resulted in a policy shift.

Ukraine has already received long-range missiles — including ATACMS from the U.S. and Storm Shadow and SCALP from the U.K. and France. Initially restricted to use within Ukrainian territory, Western allies only began easing those limitations in late 2024.

Germany is Ukraine's largest military donor in Europe. Pistorius said that Berlin will provide 9 billion euros ($10.4 billion) in aid this year, with investments in defense production being considered. The total includes an additional commitment in military aid worth 1.9 billion euros ($2.2 billion).

"Today, we discussed that this aid will continue," he said. "We agreed on additional investments in production... both in Ukraine and in Germany."

Zelensky visited Berlin on May 28 for talks with Merz, part of an ongoing effort to bolster Ukraine's defense industry amid uncertainty over U.S. support under President Donald Trump.

Why can’t the West match Russia’s ammunition production?

The West is failing to catch up to Russia’s production of the most basic unit of war for the past half-millennium — gunpowder. The modern propellants and explosives that power war have largely been offshored. While Western manufacturers are churning out shell casings, they are short on the materials to fill

The Kyiv IndependentKollen Post

The Council of the EU on June 12 approved fresh tariffs on fertilizers and remaining agricultural goods from Russia and Belarus, aiming to reduce Russian export revenues.

The measures target those goods that have not yet been subject to additional customs duties and will enter into force on July 1. The tariffs on fertilizers will increase gradually over the next three years.

The step comes as the EU readies additional sanctions against Russia as it continues to wage its all-out war against Ukraine.

"Polish Presidency motto is 'Security, Europe!' and these measures increase our economic security by reducing dependencies from Russia," said Michal Baranowski, the trade undersecretary at the Polish Economy Ministry.

"We are further reducing Russia’s export revenues and therefore its ability to finance its brutal war. This is united Europe at its best," he said in a statement.

The new tariffs will apply to goods that made up around 15% of all agricultural imports from Russia in 2023. Fertilizer tariffs will focus on certain nitrogen-based products, the Council said in a statement.

Russian fertilizers accounted for more than a quarter of all of the EU's imports in this sector in 2023, worth almost $1.5 billion.

Apart from stifling Russia's trade revenue, the step also aims to reduce the EU's dependence on Russian and Belarusian goods, protect European farmers, and diversify the supply.

The EU adopted higher tariffs on cereals, oilseeds, and some other products from Russia and Belarus in May 2024. Earlier this year, the European Commission proposed imposing similar measures on all remaining agricultural products from the two countries.

Putin’s suspected daughter found working in anti-war galleries in Paris

Nastya Rodionova, a Russian writer and artist who has been based in Paris since 2022, had only met gallery manager Luiza Rozova in passing at events before she learned who the 22-year-old’s parents were. Described by a number of people as a “very nice and well-mannered girl,” Rozova is

The Kyiv IndependentKate Tsurkan

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius arrived in Kyiv on June 12 to meet Ukrainian leaders and discuss future defense support for Ukraine, DPA news agency reported.

"We are doing everything we can to support Ukraine so that it can defend itself and get into a position where Russia is prepared to enter into serious negotiations," Pistorius said ahead of the departure, according to Reuters.

The visit marks Pistorius's first official trip to Ukraine as a minister in Chancellor Friedrich Merz's new German government.

During former Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s tenure, Defense Minister Pistorius made several visits to the war-torn country and played a key role in establishing Germany as Ukraine’s top European military donor.

Amid President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to Berlin on May 28, Pistorius and his Ukrainian counterpart, Rustem Umerov, signed an agreement allocating 5 billion euros ($5.76 billion) in military support to Ukraine.

Under the deal, Berlin agreed to help fund the production of long-range drones in Ukraine, tapping into the country's existing industrial capacities and technical expertise.

Berlin also reaffirmed its commitment to supply Ukraine with critical ammunition and weapons. The arms heading Kyiv's way include air defense systems, artillery, land weapons systems, and handguns.

Taurus cruise missiles, a much-coveted long-range weapon capable of striking targets 500 kilometers (300 miles) away, were not announced as part of the package.

Merz has pledged to maintain Germany's steadfast support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. Berlin's role is even more crucial now as the U.S. Trump administration signaled its intent to cut down military assistance for Kyiv.

Since the outbreak of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, Germany has provided Ukraine with almost 44 billion euros (around $50 billion) in various forms of support, the German government said.

Ukraine bracing for ‘painful’ reduction in US military aid after Hegseth announces cuts

Editor’s note: For security reasons, the real names of the soldiers mentioned in this story have not been used. A reduction in U.S. military aid to Ukraine would be “painful” and could have potentially “dire consequences” for the global order, Ukrainian lawmakers and soldiers have told the Kyiv Independent.

The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Hodunova

Despite the US’s absence, the Ramstein meeting on 4 June kicked off a new era of military aid for Ukraine, with billions in investments and joint weapons production.

Ramstein moves forward without the US 

For the first time since the group’s creation, the US Secretary of Defense was absent from the meeting. 

The Pentagon explained that Pete Hegseth had a tight schedule, writes ArmyInform. He also won’t attend today’s NATO–Ukraine Council meeting, although he did arrive for the NATO ministerial and attended the Alliance’s headquarters on the morning of 5 June.

Nevertheless, the meeting results demonstrate that the rest of the allies remain committed to supporting Ukraine militarily, as confirmed by the announcement of new aid packages.

Ukraine and allies won’t just share weapons

The central takeaway from the Contact Group meeting was the agreement to create a joint defense production mechanism. Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said the concept came from partners offering to help establish defense production involving Ukrainian companies.

“Our partners are ready to fully finance the production, and the products made under Ukrainian licenses will be sent to Ukraine as long as the war continues,” he explained.

During the discussions, however, the plan evolved into mutual investment: Ukrainian manufacturers will be able to invest in partner countries, while companies from these countries will be able to build large-scale factories in Ukraine.

Umerov noted that the idea is still new, with details under discussion and no official name yet.

“We’re calling it ‘Ramstein investments in the defense industry,’ but this is a strategic breakthrough,” the minister emphasized.

There are already specific agreements on joint production:

• A Western European company announced it will produce modern anti-Shahed missiles in Ukraine,
• The UK and Ukraine will jointly manufacture LMM missiles and launchers,
• Rheinmetall is building cutting-edge Lynx combat vehicles in Ukraine,
• Ukrainian companies are producing ammunition under Nammo licenses,
• SAAB, Kongsberg, KNDS, FFG, and Raytheon are all expanding their presence in Ukraine.

The SAAB produces Gripen fighter jets, Raytheon manufactures Patriot missiles, the only type capable of intercepting Russia’s ballistic missiles, KNDS makes missiles for NASAMS, and FFG is notable for supplying military vehicles and equipment, including contributing Leopard 1A5 tanks. 

“Ukrainian drones have changed the situation on the battlefield, and now they will change how Ramstein countries prepare for future threats,” Umerov stated.

100,000 drones and a record £4.5 billion in aid

Before the session even began, London announced a new aid package with a special focus on drones: 100,000 drones for Ukraine’s Defense Forces by the end of 2025, ten times more than last year, with record investments of £350 million.

Additionally, 140,000 artillery shells have already been delivered. Another £247 million will go toward training Ukrainian troops as part of Operation Interflex, which has already trained 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers.

German long-range weapons to be built on Ukrainian soil

Germany, in turn, confirmed its previously announced €5 billion military aid package. It includes funding for long-range weapons to be produced in Ukraine, as well as the delivery of air defense systems, weapons, and ammunition.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius assured that supporting Ukraine remains a priority both for the new German government and for him personally.

War at Sea: Netherlands, Canada, and Belgium expand maritime and electronic warfare fronts

Support for Ukraine goes far beyond just two countries. The Netherlands is focusing on maritime security: €400 million will go toward a mine countermeasure ship, boats, and maritime drones for Ukraine.

Norway is prioritizing support for Ukraine’s defense industry, allocating $700 million for drones and contributing $50 million to the NSATU fund.

Canada will provide $45 million for drones, electronic warfare equipment, and will send Coyote and Bison armored vehicles to Ukraine.

Belgium, which hosted Ramstein for the second time, announced a long-term initiative — committing to €1 billion annually in aid to Ukraine through 2029 and the delivery of a mine countermeasure vessel.

Sweden allocated €440 million for international programs to purchase artillery shells, drones, and other weaponry for Ukraine.

Exclusive

Ukraine’s best jets scramble to stop 50,000 Russians encroaching on Sumy. Armed with glide bombs and “NATO Wi-Fi,” F-16s strike Russians around Sumy while elite brigades abandon the north.

The world’s largest bank says Ukraine will fail—apparently forgetting Ukraine doesn’t take orders. JPMorgan’s $3.2 trillion credibility meets Ukrainian defiance.

Trojan truck op: Kyiv destroys “34%” of Russia’s strategic bomber fleet within hours with truck-launched FPV drones (updated). Zelenskyy said the operation was planned inside Russia, right next to an FSB office, and involved drone operators across three time zones.

Ukraine’s own drones crash Putin’s $7-billion “red lines” aircraft — while Russia fights them back with sticks. Ukraine’s rise to drone powerhouse has unleashed an industry producing 4.5 million flying killers a year — forcing Russian troops into WWI-style desperation to dodge death from above every six minutes.

Military

Frontline report: Europe’s Achilles heel becomes tripwire where Putin’s ambitions meet NATO’s steel. What was once NATO’s most vulnerable flank is now a red line.

Russian offensive attacks surge 19% in May while attempts of peace talks continue. On 4 May, Russian forces launched a record 269 assault operations — the highest number of attacks recorded in a single day this year.

Russia is trying to seize control of major city in northern Ukraine and shell it with artillery. Currently, nearly 50,000 Russian troops are being based on the borders of Ukraine’s Sumy Oblast.

Massive drone attack targets Russian military-industrial sites right after surprise Spiderweb operation that destroyed bombers. The overnight drone strikes across Russia reportedly targeted the Borisoglebsk military airfield and the NLMK steel-producing industrial complex.

Satellite images reveal wreckage of Russian strategic bombers after Ukraine’s Spiderweb drone operation deep in Russia. The images show destroyed Russian Tu-22M3 and Tu-95 strategic aircraft, used as long-range missile carriers for strikes against Ukraine.

Intelligence and technology

Ukrainian AI-powered drones prompt world’s largest long-haul carrier to reconsider flights to Russia. The airline has developed evacuation plans in case of emergency.

Russia cannot produce new Tu-160s or Tu-95s — only repair Soviet-era ones, says expert after Ukraine’s historic Spiderweb operation. The operation Pavutynnia has destroyed over 40 Russian aircraft worth $7 billion.

Ukraine’s 18-month covert Spiderweb operation claimed 41 destroyed or damaged Russian aircraft used for strikes on civilians. Ukraine’s Security Service head Vasyl Maliuk called the operation “extremely complex from a logistical standpoint” due to the three-time-zone coordination and revealed that it was overseen by the Ukrainian president.

International

Vilnius summit sends clear message — Ukraine’s NATO path is irreversible despite Russian ultimatums. At the summit, Zelenskyy briefs world leaders on a drone op straight out of a spy thriller.

Ukraine, Russia agree to exchange 6,000 bodies at Istanbul talks that againt fail to secure ceasefire. Russia is one more time refused to stop hostilities in Ukraine, apparently counting on a summer offensive on Sumy, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.

Zelenskyy congratulates Poland’s newly-elected nationalist president who questions Ukraine’s EU/NATO path. The incoming Polish leader has promised to maintain support for Ukraine while representing Poland’s interests first, following a campaign where he repeatedly invoked controversial historical grievances from World War II.

Humanitarian and social impact

Not just civilians — Ukraine’s rescuers now deliberate targets in Russia’s genocidal war. Russia destroys fire stations and wounds rescuers.

Seven-year-old among injured civilians in Russian attack on Ukraine ahead of Istanbul peace talks. Russian forces deployed 80 strike drones and four missiles targeting residential areas.

Read our earlier daily review here.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia called the issue of deported children a “show for childless European grandmothers” during Istanbul talks and admitted to abducting several hundred youngest Ukrainians, UkrInform reports. 

“The first thing they said to us was ‘don’t put on a show for childless European grandmothers.’ We told them, ‘You have kidnapped 20,000.’ They said they didn’t kidnap 20,000, but at most a few hundred,” Zelenskyy says.

According to him, this is an important admission, not about the number, but the fact that the Russian delegation acknowledged having kidnapped children.

The Ukrainian president also said the Kyiv representatives handed over to the Russian side a list with the names of nearly 400 children at the Istanbul meeting.

“They offered to work on a plan regarding up to 10 children. That’s their idea of dealing with humanitarian issues,” Zelenskyy continues.

When asked whether the secret operation, Spiderweb, affected the behavior of the Russian delegation in Istanbul and whether they threatened Ukraine less, Zelenskyy responded that Moscow’s representatives behaved “a little calmer than before.”

Ukrainian drones hit four Russian military airfields, Belyayevo, Dyagilevo, Olenya, and Ivanovo. The plan allowed them to simultaneously strike the largest number of enemy aircraft, UNIAN reports. 

Regarding threats from the Russian side, Zelenskyy calls them futile. 

“Arrogant people behaved somewhat more modestly. We’ll see—maybe some more measures are needed, and then everyone will try to behave properly,” he adds.

At the Istanbul talks, the Russian delegation threatened to derail the peace process if Ukraine repeated operations like Spiderweb. 

Earlier, Ukrainian Pravda, citing a Ministry of Defense source, reported there was some progress in the talks, but Russia mainly focused on secondary issues, seeking ways to delay the peace process.

Meanwhile, Zelenskyy participated in today’s Bucharest Nine summit. At the gathering, Ukraine received an invitation to the NATO summit in The Hague.

In May, the Italian ANSA wrote that the US opposed inviting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the NATO summit in The Hague amid peace talks and Russia’s demands to promise not to approve Kyiv as a member of the Alliance. 

Ukrainian drones struck Russian airfields, prompting international airlines to reconsider continuing operations in Russia.

The world’s largest long-haul carrier, Emirates, says it plans to review its flights to Russia. This decision comes amid Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian soil, which have caused flight cancellations and route changes, according to company president Tim Clark, Bloomberg reports. 

He adds that the airline does not currently plan to reduce the number of flights but will monitor the situation closely.

“This latest event was a little more worrying. As things get a little bit more acute, if I can use that word, we’ll be reviewing all of this,” Clark notes. 

Clark also reveals that Emirates has developed “ironclad” contingency plans, including carrying enough fuel for pilots to exit Russian airspace or avoid landing near Moscow if necessary.

Emirates and Turkish low-cost carrier Pegasus remain among the few foreign airlines still flying to Russia, while others abandoned this market after 24 February 2022.

Earlier, Oleh Katkov, editor-in-chief of Defense Express, said that Russia has no way to replace the aircraft it lost in the Operation Web. Among the lost jets, the Tu-160 supersonic missile carriers, developed during the Soviet era, are especially valuable.

Russia cannot produce new Tu-160s or Tu-95s — only repair Soviet-era ones, says expert after Ukraine’s historic Spiderweb operation

He noted that Russia has only about 18 of them left, and not a single one was built from scratch after the Soviet Union collapsed.

Chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament, Ruslan Stefanchuk, has called Ukraine’s unique special operation targeting Russian airfields “a modern version of the Budapest Memorandum.”

“Meticulous work. Impressive results,” Ruslan Stefanchuk writes on social media, assessing the scale of the Web operation on Russian territory.

Thanks to President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Head of the Security Service of Ukraine Vasyl Maliuk, and everyone involved in this operation for ensuring the non-nuclear status of the aggressor state, Stefanchuk adds.

He emphasizes that for those fighting for their land, no goals are too distant.

On 1 June, the Security Service of Ukraine and Defense Intelligence conducted the unprecedented “Web” operation, during which FPV-drones were brought to Russia in trucks and released from them to target four Russian airfields: Byelaya, Dyagilevo, Olenya, and Ivanovo.

As a result, over 40 Russian aircraft were damaged, including the A-50 reconnaissance plane and strategic bombers Tu-95 and Tu-22M3.

Preparation for the operation took over one and a half years. President Zelenskyy personally oversaw the operation, while Head of the SBU Vasyl Maliuk and his team managed its execution. 

Some Republicans in the US Congress and White House advisers are pressuring US President Donald Trump, urging him to support new sanctions against Moscow, Reuters reports, citing its sources.

According to White House officials, Trump still hopes to develop an economic partnership with Russia. However, his aides say his frustration with Putin’s actions is genuine and growing.

US officials have already prepared a new package of economic sanctions against Russia, including measures targeting the banking and energy sectors. They say the sanctions are ready, all that’s needed is Trump’s go-ahead to implement them.

One option supported by some of Trump’s advisers is not to block a bill for “crushing sanctions” proposed by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham. The bill envisions 500% tariffs on imports from countries that buy Russian oil, petroleum products, natural gas, or uranium. Additionally, the sanctions would ban US citizens from purchasing Russian sovereign bonds.

Both chambers of Congress must approve identical versions of the bill before the president can sign it into law.

The same official and another person familiar with internal discussions said the White House believes secondary sanctions, which target countries doing business with Russia, not just Russia itself, are necessary for sanctions pressure to be truly effective.

The Chinese Communist Party and its army command are closely analyzing the Russia-Ukraine war, according to Newsweek. The lessons Beijing is drawing from it are helping shape its strategy of strategic competition with the US, as well as possible scenarios for a war over Taiwan, says the American think tank RAND in a new report.

However, China’s strategic interest lies not in just supporting Russia’s war machine, but in avoiding its mistakes.

The RAND report notes that Chinese military leaders are studying Russia’s failures and drawing conclusions about hybrid warfare. They also assess that the US technological advantage will diminish over time and prepare for a protracted, not a lightning-fast, conflict. Additionally, Beijing regards its defense mobilization capacity as an advantage in a war of attrition. 

China has the world’s largest navy by number of ships and 35 military shipyards. By comparison, the US has only four state-owned shipyards. This industrial potential could become a decisive factor in a prolonged conflict over Taiwan.

Beijing is also rethinking the role of non-military tools. Having seen how Russia failed to prevent escalation through information and economic levers, China is preparing for hybrid war. The US government has previously accused China of running disinformation campaigns, and this tool remains a key focus.

Russia and Belarus have significantly reduced the scale of the planned Zapad-2025 joint military exercise and relocated its main activities away from NATO-adjacent areas, a decision likely driven by Russian military overstretch due to Moscow’s war in Ukraine, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) on 28 May.

Belarusian Defense Minister Lieutenant General Viktor Khrenin announced on social media that the upcoming Zapad-2025 exercise would be relocated from the western border of Belarus to central parts of the country. He claimed this move aimed to demonstrate “readiness for de-escalation, dialogue, and peace.”

However, ISW notes that such a decision would not have been made without Moscow’s approval, suggesting broader strategic motives.

“Belarussian authorities would not have been able to make this decision independently without Russia. Russia and Belarus are attempting to posture themselves as unthreatening, reasonable, and cooperative to the West,” ISW wrote.

Forces unavailable due to Ukraine deployment

ISW points out that previous Zapad exercises involved large formations, including elements of Russia’s 1st Guards Tank Army, 20th Combined Arms Army, 6th Combined Arms Army, and approximately 4,000 Airborne (VDV) personnel from the 7th, 76th, 98th, and 106th divisions. Many of these units are now engaged in combat operations in Ukraine.

“Belarusian officials previously claimed that at least 13,000 personnel would participate in the Zapad-2025 exercise, and Russia and Belarus likely had to downsize the joint exercise as most of its forces are fighting in Ukraine,” ISW says.

Russia’s shrinking military bandwidth

The Zapad-2023 exercise was canceled unexpectedly, which ISW says is “very likely due to Russia’s equipment and manpower requirements for” the ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The decision to downsize Zapad-2025 likely reflects similar constraints.

Ukraine will not take part in the World Judo Championships set for June in Budapest due to Belarus’s participation in the competition, the Ukrainian Judo Federation announced on May 29.

The decision came after the Executive Committee of the International Judo Federation (IJF) confirmed, following an appeal from Kyiv, that Belarusian athletes are allowed to take part in all international competitions under national symbols from June 1, 2025.

Since the outbreak of Moscow's full-scale war, Ukraine has repeatedly called for a ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes from participating in international competitions, including the 2024 Paris Olympics. Ultimately, these athletes were allowed to compete only as "individual neutral athletes" in individual disciplines without using any national symbols related to their countries.

While Belarus, an ally of Russia, has not directly participated in the war, it has allowed the Kremlin to use its territory as a staging ground for its operations against Ukraine.

According to the Ukrainian committee, the federation said in its response that "the IJF is committed to ensuring that sport serves as a platform for dialogue, unity, and understanding — building bridges, not walls."

The Ukrainian Judo Federation condemned the decision, saying that it contradicts "the fundamental principles of fairness, responsibility, and solidarity in the global sports movement."

"We firmly believe that allowing athletes from aggressor countries to compete under national symbols is not only a case of political blindness but also a blatant disregard for the victims of war and international law," the statement read.

As of March, 591 Ukrainian athletes and coaches have been killed by Russia in the war, with 22 held captive and 11 missing, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said.

How much does a Russian drone attack on Ukraine cost? The question is more complicated than it sounds

Beginning overnight on Saturday, May 24, Russia rained down nearly a thousand drones and missiles on villages and cities across Ukraine in three nights of large-scale aerial attacks, as civilians spent hours sheltering underground. Russia’s bombardment killed more than a dozen people and injured dozens more, in one of

The Kyiv IndependentAndrea Januta

Moscow is planning to deploy multiple Oreshnik missile systems to Belarus by the end of 2025, State Secretary of Belarus' Security Council Alexander Volfovich said on May 28.

The "Oreshnik" is an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) that Russia touts as an experimental weapon capable of bypassing advanced air defense systems.

In December 2024, Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko requested Moscow deploy 10 Russian Oreshnik missile systems in Belarus, pro-Kremlin journalist Alexander Yunashev reported on his Telegram channel.

"The locations for its deployment have already been determined," Volfovich said, without specifying how many missile systems would be deployed.

The Kyiv Independent cannot verify claims made by Belarusian officials.

On Nov. 21, 2024, Russia launched an Oreshnik missile against the Ukrainian city of Dnipro. The Oreshnik missile is designed to carry nuclear weapons, however, the missile was not armed with a nuclear warhead during the attack.

Russia launched the Oreshnik missile against Ukraine following Kyiv's first successful use of U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles on a military target in Russia. Moscow later acknowledged additional ATACMS strikes on targets in Kursk and Bryansk oblasts.

While Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed Russia has begun mass production of the Oreshnik, a U.S. official told The Kyiv Independent that Moscow likely possesses "only a handful" of these experimental missiles.

Belarus has been a key ally to Moscow and has previously been reported as hosting Russian tactical nuclear arms on its territory, after the two countries signed an agreement in May 2023.

Lukashenko said in December 2023 that the transfer of Russian nuclear weapons to Belarus was completed in early October.

Despite the claims, Ukrainian foreign intelligence chief Oleh Ivashchenko said in an interview with Ukrinform published on May 26 that Belarus possesses nuclear weapon delivery systems but no warheads.

Belarus has nuclear weapon delivery systems but no Russian warheads, Ukrainian intel chief says

Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko said the transfer of Russian nuclear weapons to Belarus was completed in October 2023.

The Kyiv IndependentYuliia Taradiuk

Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and Germany’s Defense Minister Boris Pistorius have signed an agreement on financing long-range weapons of Ukrainian production, according to a press release from the German defense ministry.

“Germany will finance the production of long-range weapons directly on the territory of Ukraine,” the German defense ministry said. The two ministers signed the agreement in Berlin. The ministry added that “this agreement is also a continuation of Germany’s previously announced promise to invest in weapons production in Ukraine.”

The German Defense Ministry said that Ukraine’s defense industry has untapped production capacities and technical potential for manufacturing modern systems.

This agreement was signed as a Ukrainian delegation headed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Berlin on 28 May. Zelenskyy held a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to reportedly discuss Ukraine’s capability to respond symmetrically to Russian strikes. The discussion focused specifically on weapons production, including long-range weapons.

“It is important that we work together to bring peace closer and give our people more security. And it is important that we try to be as effective as possible in this,” Zelenskyy wrote on social media after the meeting.

At a press conference on 28 May, German opposition leader Friedrich Merz announced the expansion of military aid to Ukraine. 

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umerov signed an agreement regarding the provision of ammunition packages for various weapon systems. Ammunition for important air defense systems, land weapon systems, and small arms will be delivered soon. The support measures for Ukrainian armed forces have a total scope of around 5 billion euros ($5.7 billion). The money comes from funds already approved by the Bundestag, according to the ministry.

The agreement also includes German financing for the production of long-range weapon systems in Ukraine. Merz also confirmed that there would be no restrictions for Ukraine regarding the use of long-range weapons against Russia.

The agreement represents a shift toward direct investment in Ukrainian weapons manufacturing rather than just weapons transfers. Germany’s commitment extends beyond immediate military aid to building Ukraine’s long-term defense capabilities.

These German cruise missiles can strike targets at distances of 500 kilometers. Before becoming chancellor, Merz signaled he would overturn his predecessor Olaf Scholz’s ban on delivering the missiles to Ukraine.

Kyiv has called for a long time upon Germany to provide the weapons to strike targets deep inside Russian territory. Scholz had ruled out the move due to escalation fears. Merz has not yet approved the deliveries. The Taurus missile policy has become a point of contention between the CDU/CSU and their Social Democratic coalition partners.

The German chancellor declared earlier this week that Berlin and other Western partners have lifted all range restrictions on arms provided to Ukraine. Some viewed this as a signal of an incoming policy change on Taurus missiles.

On 26 May, Merz said that weapons supplied by Germany to Ukraine no longer face range restrictions for use against Russian territory. He clarified that the US, Britain, France and Germany lifted restrictions on Ukraine’s long-range strikes against Russia several months ago.

German Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil responded that the government coalition had made no new agreements about changing course on lifting restrictions for Ukraine’s long-range strikes on Russian territory.

Taurus missiles represent the only long-range German weapons Ukraine has requested from Germany. Ukraine previously received long-range missiles from the US, UK, and France. These included ATACMS, Storm Shadow, and SCALP missiles. Ukraine was initially permitted to deploy them only against Russian military forces in occupied Ukrainian territories.

Lithuania has demanded more than 200 million euros ($227 million) in compensation for the migration crisis caused by Belarus, Lithuanian broadcaster LRT reported on May 26.

The demand comes after Lithuania instituted legal proceedings against Belarus in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on May 19, alleging that Minsk is "facilitating, supporting, and enabling the smuggling of migrants" into Lithuania.

"The initial estimates of damages, estimated to be more than 200 million euros, are allocated only to resolve the crisis within the internal affairs system. The calculations will be revised," the Lithuanian Ministry of Justice said in a comment to Baltic News Service.

Since 2021, Vilnius has accused Minsk of orchestrating a surge in irregular migrant crossings into Lithuania in an effort to destabilize Ukraine's EU and NATO ally.

In its lawsuit, Lithuania claims that the damages incurred between 2021 and 2023 resulted from building a physical barrier, enhancing border surveillance systems, and deploying an unprecedented number of personnel to the border due to Belarus' actions.

According to the Ministry of Justice, if the court recognizes a direct link between Belarus's actions and the resulting damages in Lithuania, it could set a precedent, making it easier to establish responsibility in future cases.

Poland may also join the lawsuit, independent Belarusian outlet Euroradio reported on May 23. Poland’s Foreign Ministry confirmed it was aware of Lithuania’s initiative and shares the view that Belarus has violated international law.

Belarus, which has not yet responded to the proceedings initiated by Lithuania, is one of Russia's staunchest allies, and part of Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine was launched from its territory.

Despite raising the issue with Belarusian authorities, Vilnius says that Minsk has refused to cooperate to limit illegal migration.

Lithuania previously said in April 2023 that it has refused entry to 20,000 migrants from Belarus, although that number has significantly grown since. Vilnius previously demanded Minsk pay 120 million euros ($134 million) from Belarus for facilitating the mass crossings.

Lithuania borders Russia's Kaliningrad exclave to the southwest and Belarus to the east and south. Tensions between NATO and Moscow have escalated since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Moscow has previously been accused of similar tactics, aimed at destabilizing NATO allies in the Baltics.

In response to Helsinki's accession into NATO, Finland has accused neighboring Russia of weaponizing migration by encouraging migrants from countries like Syria and Somalia to cross the border.

As Lithuania continues to strengthen its defenses along its borders with Belarus and Russia, the country announced on May 5 that it will invest 1.1 billion euros ($1.2 billion) over the next decade to install anti-tank mines in order to "block and slow" a possible invasion.

Western intelligence agencies have warned of a potential large-scale war in Europe within the next five years, citing Russia's increasingly aggressive posture.

If Germany sends Taurus missiles to Ukraine, Russia has a major Crimean Bridge problem

A statement from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on May 26 about long-range strikes inside Russia resurrected a long-held hope in Ukraine — that Berlin is finally about to send Kyiv its Taurus missiles. “There are no longer any restrictions on the range of weapons delivered to Ukraine — neither by the U.

The Kyiv IndependentKollen Post

Belarus will reduce the parameters of the upcoming Zapad-2025 military drills and move maneuvers further inland from the western border to reduce tensions in the region, Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin claimed on May 28.

Zapad drills are large-scale joint military exercises regularly held by Russian and Belarusian forces. Minsk confirmed earlier this year that the 2025 drills will take place in mid-September, involving 13,000 soldiers.

"We have made a decision to reduce the parameters of the Joint Strategic Exercise 'Zapad-2025' and move its main maneuvers deep into the territory of the Republic of Belarus from the western borders," Khrenin said, according to the Belarusian Defense Ministry's Telegram channel.

Khrenin made the announcement during a meeting of Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) ministers in Bishkek.

The exercises have raised alarm in Kyiv and NATO, as they will take place amid Russia's ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine and Moscow's increasingly aggressive posture toward Western allies.

President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Russia plans to deploy 15 divisions, totaling 100,000 to 150,000 troops, primarily in Belarus, possibly in preparation for a major military escalation.

Responding to the Russian-Belarusian drills, Poland has announced it would hold simultaneous and proportional exercises involving NATO partners.

Khrenin claimed that Zapad drills are "not aimed against anyone," stressing that Minsk's decision "indicates a readiness for dialogue and a reduction in tensions in the region."

Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko has been a key ally to Russia during its full-scale war against Ukraine. While not deploying its soldiers for combat, Belarus has provided its territory as a launching ground for Russian ground forces and missiles in 2022.

Ukraine allegedly launches almost 300 drones at Russia; UAV facility near Moscow reportedly targeted

Dozens of Ukrainian drones were shot down by Russian air defenses as they approached Moscow, Mayor Sergey Sobyanin claimed on May 28.

The Kyiv IndependentLucy Pakhnyuk

Cooperation between the United States and the European Union on preventing Russian sanctions evasion has broken down, Süddeutsche Zeitung reported on 27 May. According to a cited leaked internal report from Germany’s Foreign Ministry, the EU’s Special Representative for Sanctions, David O’Sullivan, told a closed-door meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council on 20 May in Brussels that there is “no joint outreach” with the US anymore. He also noted that G7 cooperation on the matter had “lost momentum.”

The leak suggests that European hopes for a united front against Russia’s sanctions circumvention are rapidly eroding. While a new 18th package of EU sanctions is being prepared in response to renewed Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities, the lack of US participation raises doubts about global enforcement capacity.

Trump’s presidency and Chinese role in sanctions evasion

Süddeutsche Zeitung notes that some experts suggest that US President Donald Trump “would rather resume doing business with Russia today than tomorrow.” Normalization with Russia “will mean an end to the global sanctions regime,” Green MEP Sergey Lagodinsky warned. German MP Johann Wadephul warned that the new EU sanctions “will be financially painful for Russia” but acknowledged doubts about future American involvement, despite stating that “there will be a clear reaction from the West” to Russia’s attacking Ukraine instead of negotiating peace.

China plays a key role in sanctions evasion, the leaked report finds. EU sanctions commissioner David O’Sullivan told the EU Foreign Affairs Council that “around 80%” of such cases are tied to China, which denies involvement. Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Chief of Ukraine Oleh Ivashchenko said Chinese firms are supplying essential materials to 20 Russian arms factories.

EU cracks down on third countries, Russia’s shadow fleet, and eyes Russia’s energy and banking sectors

Despite the breakdown in US-EU coordination, the EU has reportedly achieved some success in blocking war-related exports via third countries. Export channels through Armenia, Serbia, Uzbekistan, and India have seen disruptions. However, Kazakhstan, Türkiye, and the UAE remain problematic transit points, the document notes.

Efforts against Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” — tankers and cargo ships used to bypass sanctions — have seen some progress. According to O’Sullivan, multiple nations have stripped Russian-linked ships of their flags following EU pressure. However, he urged further measures against ports used frequently by these vessels, including those in Türkiye, India, and Malaysia.

The next EU sanctions package is expected to hit Russia’s energy and financial sectors, though Russia’s ally Hungary opposes these measures and has shown “no willingness to compromise,” the document adds.

On 26 May, German Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil said there is “no new agreement” on lifting range restrictions for German-supplied weapons to Ukraine, directly contradicting a statement made earlier the same day by Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

According to German broadcaster NTV, Klingbeil, a member of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), made the comment in response to a question at a press conference in Berlin, saying:

“On the issue of range, let me just say, there is no new agreement that goes beyond what the previous government did.”

The SPD is also the party of former Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who throuout his time in office feared “escalation” with Russia, consistently refused to supply Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine, and was cautious about the use of Western weapons against Russian territory.

NTV notes that Merz’s move does not appear to have been coordinated with Vice Chancellor Klingbeil, raising uncertainty over whether his statements reflect an actual policy change or merely reference the use of Western missiles against Russian territory that has been occurring since last fall.

Merz claims Ukraine can now strike Russia with Western arms

NTV reported that Klingbeil’s remark followed a statement by Chancellor Merz at the WDR Europaforum 2025 in Berlin, where Merz declared that there were “no longer any range restrictions” for weapons delivered to Ukraine — neither from Germany, nor from France, the United Kingdom, nor the United States.

Later that afternoon, Merz posted on X:

“We will do everything in our power to continue supporting Ukraine. This also means no more range restrictions on the weapons we deliver. Ukraine can now also defend itself by striking military positions in Russia.”

According to NTV, Merz also claimed that the policy change was part of discussions held with French President Emmanuel Macron and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk during their joint visit to Kyiv two weeks earlier. He said:

 “This means that Ukraine can now also defend itself by attacking military positions in Russia, for example,” said Merz. Until recently, Ukraine had not been able to do this, or only in a few exceptional cases, but “now it can.”

NTV noted that while Merz had previously spoken in favor of sending Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine, he made no comment on that system during his latest statement.

The current German government, led by Merz, has stated it will no longer provide specific information on what weapons are being supplied to Ukraine.

Russian threats

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov criticized Merz’s statement. In an interview, cited by NTV, Peskov said:

“If these decisions have indeed been made, they are in stark contradiction to our efforts to find a political solution,” he said, calling Merz’s statement “a rather dangerous decision.”

Reactions inside Germany

German politician Ralf Stegner (SPD) stated that while individual exceptions to range restrictions might be reasonable, Merz’s overall statement was “not helpful,” adding: “I believe everything that escalates the war is wrong.” 

Sören Pellmann, leader of the Left Party faction, called Russia’s invasion of Ukraine “a terrible crime,” but said: “The delivery of more and more, and heavier and heavier weapons has not ended the war,” also warning against “escalation.”

By contrast, Agnieszka Brugger, deputy leader of the Greens’ parliamentary group, welcomed Merz’s statement, calling it “logical and long overdue.”

On 26 May, EU Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius urged the United States to fully commit to strengthening Ukraine, stating that the widely supported “peace through strength” principle—supported by both American and European leaders—requires reinforcing Ukraine.

Ukrinform reports that Kubilius said, speaking to journalists in the Italian parliament:

“For me personally, it is very clear that Putin does not want a ceasefire, he does not want peace. It is likely that the US administration has also begun to understand that Putin wants to continue the war because he feels like a winner in it. The ‘peace through strength’ formula, which has been supported by the US administration and Europeans, requires, first and foremost, the strengthening of Ukraine.”

Kubilius emphasized that if the US truly embraces peace through strength then the first step must be reinforcing Ukraine’s military capacity.

He noted that Ukrainians are already using every available resource to defend themselves against Russian aggression and can only gain additional power from their partners, particularly the European Union and the United States.

“I would like to see the American administration also begin to understand that additional strength for Ukraine is the most effective way to achieve peace,” Kubilius added, according to Ukrinform.

Ukraine’s foreign intelligence chief Oleh Ivashchenko says that Belarus has nuclear weapon carriers but no actual nuclear weapons on its territory. The same applies to Oreshnik missile systems.

Ivashchenko said this in his first interview since Russia’s full-scale invasion to Ukrinform news agency.

The Ukrainian intelligence chief confirmed that delivery systems exist in Belarus. “Carriers are there. This is true. There are aircraft, there are Iskander tactical missile systems. But there are no actual nuclear weapons in Belarus. This is a fact,” Ivashchenko said.

Belarus is preparing storage facilities for nuclear weapons, the intelligence chief reports. Construction work continues at these sites.

Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko claims his country will receive Oreshnik systems by the end of the year. Ivashchenko questions this timeline.

“This looks like wishful thinking. Today there is nothing like that, and it is unlikely to appear,” the intelligence service head said.

Russia and Belarus signed agreements on tactical nuclear weapons deployment in May 2023. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the following month that some Russian nuclear weapons were already in Belarus.

Lukashenko ordered the development of nuclear weapons use algorithms in late June 2023. These procedures would govern weapons stationed by Russia.

In January 2025, Lukashenko said Belarus would receive Oreshnik missile systems “any day now.” He claimed Belarus would initially get ten Oreshnik complexes from Russia. The number could increase if Russia decides to provide more systems.

Il n’a jamais été simple de parler du Bélarus en France sans tomber dans le cliché. La formulation « dernière dictature d’Europe » a encore été reprise par les médias aujourd’hui pour évoquer le scrutin présidentiel qui s’est tenu dimanche, et j’en veux un peu aux journalistes pour cette paresse intellectuelle.
« Dernière dictature d’Europe » était une formule confortable pour se rassurer sur le processus de démocratisation qui aurait été en voie de généralisation sur le continent européen; certes, à des vitesses variables, mais quand-même quasiment certain. Le Bélarus faisait alors office d’épouvantail et de dernier bastion d’un monde en cours de disparition. Cela empêchait de voir les dynamiques réelles sur place (et de s’interroger par exemple sur la manière dont la stabilité, les politiques sociales et le progrès économique pouvaient atrophier la sensibilité politique). Cela faisait aussi du bien à l’égo européen.
Nous n’en sommes plus là aujourd’hui, bien évidemment, et dans un contexte de montée d’attractivité des autoritarismes, le Belarus est plutôt un cas d’école qui devrait attirer notre attention. Dire que l’élection présidentielle qui vient de s’écouler était un simulacre, c’est à la fois vrai et stérile, parce que c’est une manière de dire « point, à la ligne, on passe à autre chose » qui neutralise toute volonté de compréhension.
Malheureusement, la guerre conduite par la Russie contre l’Ukraine m’a empêché d’être suffisamment vigilante sur le Bélarus pour livrer une analyse approfondie. Ce que je dis est à prendre avec des pincettes; ce sont des pistes à creuser.
Un régime politique autoritaire fonctionne grâce à un certain dosage de coercition et d’adhésion; il doit non seulement mettre en place une répression suffisamment forte pour bloquer les oppositions, mais aussi distribuer suffisamment de bénéfices pour susciter l’adhésion. Plus le ratio est en faveur des bénéfices, plus le pouvoir est stable; plus il penche du côté répressif, plus le régime est fragile. Pendant longtemps, le régime politique du Belarus s’est attaché à distribuer beaucoup de bénéfices à la population, notamment à travers des politiques sociales, des politiques de développement et une promesse de stabilité et de prévisibilité. Les Bélarusses vivaient – économiquement – plutôt mieux que beaucoup de leurs voisins, et en avaient conscience. Le prix politique à payer apparaissait donc comme acceptable.
Evidemment, le soutien de la Russie était et reste l’exosquelette du régime bélarusse, aussi bien d’un point de vue politique qu’économique.
Les protestations massives de 2020 étaient intervenues dans le contexte d’une certaine fragilisation du modèle, et notamment d’une perception du régime comme moins protecteur, mais aussi en décalage avec les demandes de la société. Les répressions violentes qui ont suivi et qui se sont maintenues tout au long des années suivantes ont fait basculer le ratio répression/bénéfices en faveur de la répression. Cette période violente va compter dans l’histoire politique bélarusse: on ne le perçoit pas encore, mais elle a donné naissance à une expérience différente, moins marginale de l’opposition politique, de la répression et de la prison. Elle a aussi permis de structurer une opposition à l’étranger et de lui donner des canaux de prise de parole. Derrière les apparences de « il ne se passe rien », le Belarus est en réalité bien plus prêt qu’en 2020 à entamer une transition politique, avec une nouvelle génération de citoyens jetés avec violence dans la politique.
Cependant, et paradoxalement, c’est la guerre en Ukraine qui a redonné de la stabilité au régime bélarusse. En effet, dans un contexte où la Russie essaie de toutes ses forces de faire du Bélarus un cobelligérant, il y a des choses que Loukachenko a réussi à protéger. Certes, des unités armées russes et des complexes d’armement sont désormais basés au Belarus, qui sert de base aux attaques contre l’Ukraine. Cependant, aucune unité armée bélarusse ne combat aux côtés de la Russie contre l’Ukraine. Pensez au paradoxe: des soldats nord-coréens, mais pas de soldats bélarusses, alors que le pays se déclare être le plus proche allié de la Russie. Le territoire du Bélarus reste un territoire en paix. Cela, les citoyens savent qu’ils le doivent en partie à Loukachenko… mais aussi en partie aux Ukrainiens qui ne désespèrent pas de retourner les Bélarusses contre Moscou, et qui ne les perçoivent pas de la même manière que les Russes.
La politique menée par Loukachenko vis-à-vis de la Russie a été caractérisée par un de mes anciens collègues bélarusses par la formule suivante: « on dit oui à tout, puis on bureaucratise au maximum le processus pour finalement ne rien faire ». C’est aussi une stratégie que les Bélarusses appliquent au quotidien vis-à-vis de leur Etat. Il y a une certaine résilience stratégique de la société bélarusse qu’on ferait bien de souligner. Ne nous laissons pas tromper par cette apparence de calme plat: le Bélarus n’est pas la Russie et suivra une dynamique qui lui sera propre.