In an interview with the American TV channel Newsmax, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that Russia has consistently supported Iran.
Following diplomatic efforts by the Trump administration, Russia has intensified its attacks on Ukraine. Casualties continue to rise daily, while Washington has yet to impose new sanctions or approve additional aid for Kyiv. Experts suggest that Trump sought to negotiate with Putin to mediate talks with Iran over its nuclear program, which
In an interview with the American TV channel Newsmax, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that Russia has consistently supported Iran.
Following diplomatic efforts by the Trump administration, Russia has intensified its attacks on Ukraine. Casualties continue to rise daily, while Washington has yet to impose new sanctions or approve additional aid for Kyiv. Experts suggest that Trump sought to negotiate with Putin to mediate talks with Iran over its nuclear program, which has also contributed to regional escalation, in exchange for easing pressure on Russia regarding its war in Ukraine.
“Will the Russians help Iran? I think they always have. The question is whether they will openly support Iran,” Zelenskyy said.
He stressed that everything depends on a strong US position, backed by European support. Without it, Russia will understand that it can openly assist Iran, triggering a new wave of conflict in the Middle East.
The Ukrainian president also highlighted that a strong stance by Donald Trump could stop Russia’s plans to seize Ukraine.
“Trump can stop him. For that, Putin must lose money. Only then will he be unable to increase spending on his army,” he emphasized.
He added that tough sanctions are necessary.
“He is the president of the US. He must influence any aggressor in the world. Undoubtedly, Putin is one of the most dangerous,” the Ukrainian leader concluded.
Earlier, the US attempted to block European efforts to cut the G7 price cap on Russian oil from $60 to $45 per barrel, frustrating EU and UK attempts to ramp up pressure on Moscow’s war financing.
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Ukraine conducted another prisoner swap with Russia, returning home dozens of wounded, ill, and young defenders, many of whom had been held since 2022. Both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and POW HQ did not specify the exact number of POWs returned in this exchange. One of the photos shows at least 41 people.
This comes as US President Donald Trump pushes for peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow, allegedly to end the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war. On 2 June, the second round of low-level n
Ukraine conducted another prisoner swap with Russia, returning home dozens of wounded, ill, and young defenders, many of whom had been held since 2022. Both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and POW HQ did not specify the exact number of POWs returned in this exchange. One of the photos shows at least 41 people.
This comes as US President Donald Trump pushes for peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow, allegedly to end the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war. On 2 June, the second round of low-level negotiations took place in Türkiye, yielding no progress on a ceasefire. Russia instead reiterated its maximalist demands, effectively amounting to Ukrainian capitulation, while simultaneously intensifying air attacks against Ukrainian civilians. The only outcome of the talks was the agreement to exchange specific categories of POWs.
Fourth exchange in one week
On 14 June 2025, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on his official Telegram channel that Ukraine had carried out the fourth prisoner exchange in a single week.
“We continue to bring our people back from Russian captivity,” Zelenskyy wrote.
He added that many of those released had been in Russian hands since 2022 and included servicemen from the Armed Forces, National Guard, State Border Guard Service, and the State Special Transport Service.
“We must free everyone and we’re working toward this so that no one is left to the enemy,” Zelenskyy stated, thanking all those contributing to the process.
A Ukrainian birder guard returned from Russian captivity on 14 June 2025. Photo: Ukraine’s State Border Service
Wounded, seriously ill, and young defenders returned
According to Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, this latest exchange was part of a broader deal focusing on releasing those who are wounded or seriously ill. It was carried out under agreements previously reached with Russia in Istanbul.
The returned soldiers include members of the Armed Forces, Air Assault Forces, Navy, Territorial Defense Forces, State Border Guard Service, National Guard, and the State Special Transport Service. The Coordination Headquarters emphasized that the majority had been in captivity since 2022, with many captured during the defense of Mariupol.
Ukrainian POWs released on 14 June 2025. Photo: Telegram/Zelenskyy Official
High number of officers and young servicemen among released
Most of the freed defenders reportedly were officers, while some were under the age of 25. They had fought on multiple fronts, including the Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Luhansk, Kherson, Kharkiv, Sumy, and Kursk directions. Their release marks a significant development in Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to bring its soldiers home.
The Coordination Headquarters confirmed that all released defenders will undergo comprehensive medical examinations and receive physical and psychological rehabilitation. They will also be granted the full financial compensation due for the duration of their captivity.
2022 Mariupol Defense
The defense of Mariupol in 2022 resulted in heavy losses for Ukraine, with hundreds of servicemen captured after the fall of the Azovstal plant. Since then, Ukraine has conducted multiple prisoner swaps, often focusing on those with severe injuries or health conditions, facilitated through international negotiations.
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Chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament, Ruslan Stefanchuk, has called Ukraine’s unique special operation targeting Russian airfields “a modern version of the Budapest Memorandum.”
The Budapest Memorandum, signed in 1994, was a political agreement in which Ukraine gave up the world’s third-largest nuclear arsenal in exchange for security assurances from Russia, the US, and the UK. Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its full-scale invasion in 2022 have violated the memorandum, while the US an
Chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament, Ruslan Stefanchuk, has called Ukraine’s unique special operation targeting Russian airfields “a modern version of the Budapest Memorandum.”
The Budapest Memorandum, signed in 1994, was a political agreement in which Ukraine gave up the world’s third-largest nuclear arsenal in exchange for security assurances from Russia, the US, and the UK. Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its full-scale invasion in 2022 have violated the memorandum, while the US and the UK have not fully shielded Ukraine from the Russian attacks.
“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.
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