French companies will begin manufacturing drones in Ukraine, marking a deepening of direct defense-industry cooperation between the two nations. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced the decision on 21 July during a two-day visit to Kyiv, Euroactiv reports. 

Paris brings military manufacturing into Ukraine

President Zelenskyy confirmed that French companies will begin manufacturing drones inside Ukraine.

“We are ready to expand joint defense production,” he posted on X, adding: “There is a decision by French companies to begin manufacturing drones in Ukraine – and this is highly valuable.”

France’s Foreign Minister Barrot echoed the statement in a separate post:

“French drones will be built on Ukrainian soil.” He described the move as a sign of “sovereignty and strategic trust.”

France and Ukraine expand defense partnership scope

In addition to drone manufacturing, Zelenskyy stated that the meeting covered broader military cooperation. That included improving Ukraine’s air defense capabilities, continued troop training, and recent outcomes from Ramstein-format meetings.

On 21 July, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot came to Kyiv for a two-day visit. After arriving, he immediately headed to the sites hit during the massive overnight attack on the Lukianivka district.

“Shelters themselves are no longer entirely safe, as the metro station next to me, which serves as a shelter for Kyiv residents, became a target of the attack. It happened at the same time President Zelenskyy, on Saturday morning, declared Ukraine’s readiness to enter new negotiations with Russia,” he emphasized. 

In Kyiv, Foreign Minister Barrot is set to meet with Zelenskyy, new Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko, and his counterpart Andrii Sybiha, UkrInform reports. 

During the visit, he will also take part in Ukraine’s Ambassadors Conference and visit the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant. The facility is still undergoing the restoration of the site after the Russian occupation in 2022 and a Shahed strike, which damaged the protection shield over the plant itself. 

“Our embassy staff, like all Kyiv residents, were forced to seek shelter from 3 AM to 5 AM,” the minister said.

He noted that the wave of attacks struck not only civilian infrastructure but also kindergartens, supermarkets, and residential buildings. Two people were killed in an attack, and a dozen civilians were hospitalized. 

“That’s why the package of mass sanctions adopted at the European level last Thursday is crucial to increase pressure on Vladimir Putin, to raise the cost of this outrageous war, and to compel him to cease fire and engage in talks that will lead to a just and lasting peace,” Barrot stated.

On 18 July, the EU agreed on a new Russia sanctions package, with ambassadors reaching consensus on the bloc’s 18th sanctions round. The round targets key sectors of the Russian economy, including Slovakia and Malta. The restrictions hit energy, the main source of Moscow’s revenues. 

A global law enforcement campaign has dealt a blow to the pro-Russian cyber army known as NoName057(16). Europol confirmed that about 20 countries helped dismantle the network behind thousands of attacks on Ukraine’s supporters.

Europol targets ideological cyber group tied to Russia’s war

Europol reported that between 14 and 17 July, authorities from 12 countries launched Operation Eastwood. Europol and Eurojust coordinated the joint crackdown. The effort reportedly dismantled major parts of the pro-Russian cyber army’s infrastructure, including hundreds of systems.

Germany issued six arrest warrants for suspects based in Russia. Two are accused of leading the group’s activities. Spain issued another arrest warrant. France and Spain also reported one arrest each. All suspects are internationally wanted.

Authorities carried out 24 house searches and questioned 13 individuals across Europe. In Spain alone, 12 searches took place. Investigators also notified over 1,000 individuals believed to support the cyber group. Fifteen of them were administrators.

Attacks tied to political and military events across Europe

Other attacks struck during the European elections. Swedish government and banking websites were affected. In Switzerland, NoName057(16) launched attacks in June 2023, during a speech by Ukraine’s president to the Joint Parliament. Another wave occurred in June 2024 during the Peace Summit for Ukraine at Bürgenstock.

The most recent attack linked to the group targeted the NATO summit held in the Netherlands in June 2025. Europol notes that although the attacks caused disruption attempts, none led to substantial outages.

Recruitment tactics built on crypto rewards and gamified propaganda

Europol identifies NoName057(16) as an ideological cyber network that operated without formal leadership. The group recruited mostly Russian-speaking sympathizers, many with little technical knowledge. Its structure relied heavily on gamified propaganda and incentives.

Volunteers received cryptocurrency payments and recognition through online shout-outs, badges, and leaderboards. Europol notes this method especially appealed to younger users who felt emotionally involved in Russia’s political narratives.

To simplify participation, NoName057(16) distributed guides and tools like DDoSia. Europol also launched a prevention campaign warning suspected supporters of their criminal liability, delivered via the same communication platforms.

The UK is forming a new military alliance that mirrors NATO’s Article 5. Within a single week, London signed two defense agreements with key players, Germany and France, reports Defense Express.

Experts are already calling this the emergence of a trilateral military bloc that could either supplement NATO or act as its insurance policy.

The UK-Germany agreement outlines deep mutual defense commitments, including military assistance in case of an attack. Meanwhile, the declaration with France explicitly states that while the nuclear forces of both countries remain independent, they can be coordinated in case of an extraordinary threat.

“It’s clear that the UK is effectively creating an additional trilateral defense arrangement centered around itself,” notes Defense Express.

This is happening despite all three nations already being bound by obligations within NATO. Analysts believe such an initiative signals a “need to reaffirm mutual commitments.”

The core of the signed documents essentially duplicates NATO’s famous Article 5, a collective response to aggression. Across Europe, there is growing concern that relying solely on NATO in the event of a large-scale crisis may no longer be sufficient.

The Kremlin has once again erupted in threats and vitriol. Following the adoption of the EU’s 18th sanctions package against Moscow’s aggression, Dmitry Medvedev, the Russian former president, lashed out, calling European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen a “disgusting old hag” and branding Europeans as “imbeciles.”

“European imbeciles have approved the 18th package of sanctions against our country. There’s no point in writing that it will change Russia’s stance any more than the previous seventeen did,” Medvedev said on social media.

EU agrees on new Russia sanctions package targeting energy and finance

He believes the Russian economy would endure and stated that the destruction of Ukraine would continue.

“Strikes on targets in the so-called Ukraine, including Kyiv, will be carried out with increasing force,” he stressed.

Medvedev then escalated his tirade, launching insults at EU nations including Poland, Germany, France, the Baltic states, and the UK. He urged maximum detachment from the EU, which he claimed is now home to “Brits mired in their own shit.”

He went further, stating that Russians should learn to hate Europeans, just as their ancestors once did.

“Hatred is the most powerful weapon, allowing us to move most effectively toward its opposite—love. Naturally, toward those who deserve it,” he claimed.

Von der Leyen received particular scorn, with Medvedev attempting to mock her medical background.

“I’m not sure she even knows where the heart is. Though it seems she’s always thought with the part of her body she used during her failed medical career,” he said. 

Medvedev’s outburst once again illustrates the tone of official Russian rhetoric amid intensified missile strikes on Ukrainian civilians, Russia’s answer to US President Donald Trump’s recent peace efforts.

Ukrainian pilots to gain greater chances in the sky due to Paris’s support. After an hour-long meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron on 18 July, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that France is ready to continue training Mirage fighter jet pilots on its own territory.

“I want to specifically highlight our agreement on Mirage pilot training: France is ready to accept additional pilots for training on additional aircraft,” said Zelenskyy.

Among other key issues was the strengthening of Ukraine’s air defense system. The two leaders discussed the supply of missiles for modern SAMP/T systems and the launch of a joint project to fund interceptor drones. Zelenskyy noted that relevant decisions will be prepared at the level of both countries’ defense ministries.

The Ukrainian president also thanked France for its active role in promoting the EU’s 18th package of sanctions and confirmed that Kyiv and Washington are working together so that “Russia feels truly global pressure.”

The EU agreed on a new package after the bloc’s ambassadors reached consensus on restrictions targeting key sectors of the Russian economy. Malta and Slovakia reportedly lifted their vetoes after receiving critical assurances. 

The new Russia sanctions package will include a formal ban on the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said the bloc would also reduce the oil price cap as part of efforts to cut the Kremlin’s war revenues.

France will not participate in a new initiative allowing European countries to purchase American weapons for Ukraine, according to French officials familiar with the matter, Politico reports.

The decision reflects Paris’s long-standing position that Europeans should strengthen their own defense industrial base through domestic procurement rather than relying on US suppliers.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz positioned his country as a central player in the initiative, with Rutte noting that Germany is “massively” invested in the plan, according to Politico. German officials privately claim the initiative originated as a German idea, driven by their assessment that Trump’s stated “disappointment” with Russian President Vladimir Putin created an opportunity for enhanced cooperation.

The procurement arrangement represents what German officials describe as a strategic workaround designed to address Trump’s hesitation about directly increasing military aid to Ukraine.

A German government adviser told Politico the strategy “would enable the US administration to increase the pressure on Russia and strengthen its support for Ukraine, while at the same time allowing it to remain one step behind the Europeans.”

European leaders calculated that Trump, who views international relations through the lens of financial transactions, would be more receptive to weapons transfers if Europeans purchased them, allowing the US to profit from the sales. The approach also provides Trump political cover with isolationist elements within his movement who oppose direct American involvement in Ukraine’s defense.

On 15 July, President Trump announced that the first Patriot air defense missiles destined for Ukraine are already being shipped from Germany with an aim to bolster Ukraine’s air defense capabilities amid intense Russian missile and drone attacks on civilians. 

Meanwhile, Rutte identified four Nordic countries along with the United Kingdom and Netherlands as supporting the weapons purchase plan. However, France’s absence from this list reflects broader European divisions over defense procurement strategy.

Two French officials confirmed to Politico that Paris will not join the US weapons buying initiative, citing President Emmanuel Macron’s consistent advocacy for building European defense industrial capacity through local procurement. France’s position is further complicated by budgetary constraints as the government attempts to reduce spending and address its significant deficit.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded positively to the announcement, writing on social media platform X that “we appreciate the readiness to provide additional Patriots, and the US, Germany, and Norway are already working together on this.”

Earlier, European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas emphasized the need for the United States to share the financial burden of supplying weapons to Ukraine, pointing out that promising weapons while shifting the cost to others is not true support.

Explore further

Germany, Denmark, Netherlands plan to buy US-made Patriots, capable of intercepting Russian ballistic missiles, for Ukraine

Ukraine’s allies prepare real countermeasures against Russian terror at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome. On 10–11 July in Italy, the Ukraine Recovery Conference brought together a broad and high-level international delegation of over 6,000 to 8,000 participants from around 70 countries and 100 government delegations.

Key outcomes of bilateral meetings in Rome:

• Patriot Systems. Palisa says a dialogue with the US regarding the purchase and transfer of ten air defense systems to Ukraine is ongoing, including at the presidential level. Germany is already prepared to fund two systems, and Norway another one. Once the manufacturer gives formal confirmation, other European partners are expected to join as well.
• Joint defense production. Ukraine discussed cooperation and investment in scaling up domestic drone production with the prime ministers of Italy, Poland, and the Netherlands, as well as with the German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
• Interceptor drones. According to Palisa, this topic came up in nearly every meeting as “everyone understands the importance of technological solutions in modern warfare.” Ukraine is working to attract large investments to boost the production scale.
• The UK–Ukraine agreement. At the conference, Britain and Ukraine signed a 19-year agreement that unlocks financing for over 5,000 Thales missiles for air defense systems.
• Increased payments for Ukrainian soldiers. Palisa says EU leaders are responding positively to this matter. Ukraine will seek solutions together. 

Not all decisions and agreements were announced publicly. Some remained classified due to the risk that Russia could exploit this information.

Also, during the Ukraine Recovery Conference, the “Coalition of the Willing” met. Around 30 key countries and partners participated, including French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who joined remotely via video.

For the first time, US representatives took part: Special Presidential Envoy Keith Kellogg, and Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal. They are co-authors of the bipartisan Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025 (S.1241), which aims to increase sanctions pressure on Russia.

Kyiv to set up gunpowder production in US after Rome recovery conference

The main idea of the bill is to impose 500% tariffs on imports into the US from countries that continue to purchase Russian energy resources, such as oil, gas, uranium, and other raw materials. The goal is to economically isolate Russia and force countries around the world to stop supporting its war machine.

Britain is ready to send troops to Ukraine, UK Defense Secretary John Healey confirmed, as part of a “Coalition of the Willing” proposed international effort to keep the peace in Ukraine. While no peace agreement exists and does not seem reachable in the near future, the UK government says it stands prepared to help reenforce a ceasefire.

Healey confirms UK would send troops

Speaking to Times Radio, John Healey was asked whether sending troops to Ukraine was still on the table.

“Yes,” he replied. “The prime minister has always been clear that he’s ready to put troops into Ukraine to help reinforce a ceasefire.”

As Express reports, this would place British soldiers in Ukraine as part of a coalition peacekeeping mission. France and the UK are expected to provide the core of the force, but support from the United States would also be required. 

“There had been reports that the UK had abandoned plans to send a peace-keeping force… but the Defence Secretary’s comments show the idea has not been abandoned,” Express wrote.

The development comes amid broader defense coordination between London and Paris, focused on strengthening European responses to future threats.

UK and France deepen defense ties with new military commitments

French President Emmanuel Macron is in the UK on a state visit, meeting Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer as part of the 37th Franco-British summit held at Downing Street. According to Defense Secretary John Healey, the summit is the first with a European ally since Brexit and reflects efforts to rebuild strategic defense ties.

The UK and France will create a joint rapid deployment force of 50,000 troops to defend Europe and respond to “extreme threats.” Plans include closer coordination on nuclear deterrence, military exercises, and operational readiness. 

The two countries will also order more Storm Shadow missiles and begin developing a successor to the long-range weapon, which has been supplied to Ukraine, Express says.

France says Storm Shadow missile production at MBDA’s UK site restarts this year. The long-range air-launched missile has been actively used by Ukraine in strikes against Russian targets. 

SCALP/Storm Shadow production to resume in 2025 after long pause

France is restarting production of the Storm Shadow missile—known in France as SCALP EG—in partnership with the United Kingdom. French Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced that manufacturing will resume in 2025, 15 years after the last order. The missiles will be produced at MBDA’s facility in Stevenage, England.

Lecornu made the statement during a visit to the UK site alongside his British counterpart, John Healey on 9 July.

“Supplied to Ukraine, the Franco-British SCALP/Storm Shadow missile has demonstrated its effectiveness in modern high-intensity combat, in decisive situations,” he said.

The SCALP/Storm Shadow has played a prominent role in Ukraine’s defense against Russia, striking hardened targets far behind the front line.

MBDA reactivates line for joint missile project

The missile is manufactured by MBDA, a joint venture of France, the UK, Italy, and Germany. 

France’s Senate had outlined plans to order new munitions, including SCALP missiles, in December 2024.

Air-launched weapon designed to hit fortified targets

SCALP/Storm Shadow is a long-range air-launched cruise missile designed for deep strikes against heavily defended and fixed targets such as command bunkers. The missile weighs up to 1,300 kg, including a 450 kg warhead, and measures 5.1 meters in length.

The export version has a declared range of over 250 km, while domestic variants used by France and the UK can reach up to 560 km. The French and British models differ slightly in software and aircraft compatibility, but are otherwise identical.

The EU will introduce the "toughest sanctions... imposed (on Russia) in the last three years" in coordination with U.S. senators, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said in a television interview on July 7.

"(Russian President Vladimir) Putin is no longer advancing on the front and is now limited to shelling residential areas with drones and missiles. This is leading to numerous casualties among the civilian population. This must stop," Barrot said.

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham said on June 29 that U.S. President Donald Trump was ready for the Senate to vote on a bill to impose new sanctions on Russia. The Republican senator has repeatedly called for implementing additional sanctions against Moscow.

Barrot noted the EU is planning to impose the strongest sanctions against Russia that the bloc has introduced since 2022.

"This (war) cannot continue; it must stop. To achieve this, in coordination with American senators, Europe is preparing to introduce, based on French proposals, the toughest sanctions we have imposed in the last three years," he said.

"They will directly deplete the resources that allow Vladimir Putin to continue his war," Barrot added.

In the U.S., senators have been working on a sanctions bill, with Graham saying voting on a bill is expected to begin following the end of the July congressional break.

Graham, earlier on July 7, said he expects "the Senate will move the bipartisan Russian sanctions bill that will allow tariffs and sanctions to be placed on countries who prop up Putin’s war machine and do not help Ukraine."

The bill led by Graham has been in the works for several months as the White House has failed attempts to broker a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia.

"Ukraine has said yes to ceasefires and to any and all meeting requests while Putin continues to defy peace efforts. It is now time to put more tools in President Trump’s toolbox in order to end the war," he said.

Russia has relied on its partners, including Belarus, China, and Iran, for trade and to bypass Western sanctions meant to inhibit Moscow's ability to continue its war against Ukraine.

Ukraine war latest: Russian airports cancel nearly 300 flights amid drone attacks on Russia

Key developments on July 7: * Russian airports cancel nearly 300 flights amid drone attacks on Russia * BRICS summit statement condemns attacks on Russian railways, avoids urging Russia to cease war efforts in Ukraine * Ukrainian drone strike hits major oil refinery in Russia’s Krasnodar Krai, HUR source claims * Ukraine confirms drone strike on Russian chemical plant near Moscow * Russia strikes conscription offices in Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine says Several Russian airports have

The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news desk

BlackRock, a U.S. investment firm, suspended work on a multibillion-dollar Ukraine recovery fund following U.S. President Donald Trump's election victory, prompting France to work on a replacement, Bloomberg reported on July 5.

The plan nearly secured the initial support of institutions backed by the governments of Germany, Italy, and Poland, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg.

Kyiv has sought to secure investment in Ukraine's reconstruction as Russia's war continues to destroy infrastructure across the country.

BlackRock halted its search for institutional investors in January, causing the planned funding that sought to secure $500 million from governments, development grants, and investment banks, and another $2 billion from private investors, to fall through.

The investment firm halted talks with institutional investors in January due to a lack of interest amid perceived uncertainty in Ukraine.

The fund was set to be unveiled by BlackRock at the upcoming Ukraine Recovery Conference on July 10-11 in Rome, Bloomberg reported.

A spokesperson for BlackRock said the investment firm completed advisory work for the recovery fund pro bono in 2024 and no longer has "any active mandate."

France is working on a proposal to replace the recovery fund led by BlackRock, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg, adding that it remains uncertain how effective the plan will be without Washington's backing.

President Volodymyr Zelensky and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni are expected to attend the Ukraine Recovery Conference next week.

Despite a partial rebound from a 30% economic slump in 2022, foreign investment in Ukraine remains underwhelming.

As US aid to Ukraine dries up, new platform connects Americans investors with Ukrainian startups

Ukraine’s startup ecosystem has tripled in five years, even during Russia’s full-scale invasion, to become the second most valuable in Central and Eastern Europe at $28 billion.

The Kyiv IndependentDominic Culverwell

The British and French-led "coalition of the willing" is set to meet in the U.K. next week, Politico reported on July 4.

"On the agenda, there's how to maintain Ukraine in a capacity to fight, how to increase pressure on Russia, and how to continue the work on the next steps," an unnamed French official told Politico.

As Washington's intensified efforts to broker a ceasefire in Russia's war against Ukraine failed, two rounds of largely inconclusive peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow took place in Turkey.

Following various failed attempts to obtain a ceasefire or peace deal, the coalition will meet again on July 10.

The French official told Politico that the priorities of the "coalition of the willing" have not changed, and will continue to focus on Ukraine's military needs.

The meeting will be led by U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, with President Volodymyr Zelensky and various leaders joining virtually, the official said.

The "coalition of the willing" has met repeatedly to determine potential security guarantees and a peacekeeping force for Ukraine. Leaders of 31 nations met in Paris on March 27 at a summit for the coalition.

Several countries, including France and the U.K., which lead the coalition, have pledged to send troops on the ground to enforce a potential ceasefire.

Russia launches another horrific attack on Kyiv hours after Trump-Putin call

Ripe cherries and apricots fill the stalls of fruit vendors, while people bustle about on a scorching July Friday. Yet just a five-minute walk from the stand, the scene shifts dramatically: a gaping hole mars the five-story residential building where the stairwell once stood. Rescuers tirelessly sift through the

The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Hodunova

Editor's note: The story was updated as the President's Office confirmed that following the call with Vladimir Putin, Emmanuel Macron also called Volodymyr Zelensky.

French President Emmanuel Macron and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin held a call on July 1 for the first time since 2022, discussing Russia's war against Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East, the Kremlin's press service reported.

The conversation between the two leaders took place as the Russian army continues to advance along the front line, trying to gain a foothold in Sumy Oblast and enter Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.

Moscow has repeatedly rejected the U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal, stalling peace talks with Ukraine.

Following the call with Putin, Macron also called Zelensky to discuss his conversation with the Russian president, a source in the President's Office told the Kyiv Independent.

The call between Zelensky and Macron was "constructive," the source added. Putin's position remained unchanged: he does not show any willingness to end the war in Ukraine, according to the source.

The call between Putin and Macron lasted over two hours, BFM TV reported, citing the Elysee Palace.

During the conversation with Macron, Putin called Russian war "a direct consequence of the policy of Western powers" that "ignored Russia's security interests, created an anti-Russian bridgehead in Ukraine," the Kremlin said.

Macron, in turn, noted France's unwavering support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, Suspilne reported, citing the Elysee Palace.

The French president also called for "a ceasefire to be established as soon as possible and for negotiations to begin."

The leaders will continue to discuss Russia's war in Ukraine, according to the Elysee Palace.

The presidents also discussed the situation in the Middle East regarding the Iranian-Israeli conflict and the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

Macron frequently called Putin in the first year of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Their previous call took place in September 2022.

Russia-Iran alliance wavers as Tehran suffers major blows

Tehran, Russia’s main ally in the Middle East, has been dealt a heavy blow as Israel dismantled its network of proxies and then struck targets in Iran. The recent Iranian-Israeli war, which ended with a ceasefire on June 24, showed that the regional balance of power has shifted in Israel’s favor. This could have a major impact on Russian-Iranian relations as Moscow will have to recalibrate its approach to the region. Russian-Iranian cooperation is likely to continue but Iran’s ability to help

The Kyiv IndependentOleg Sukhov

[L'article Tous les pays de l’Otan vont s’engager à porter leurs dépenses militaires à 5% de leur PIB a d'abord été publié dans InfoBref.]

The European Union and its allies are ready to toughen sanctions on Russia, French President Emmanuel Macron said on the sidelines of the Group of Seven (G7) summit on June 17.

"With President (Volodymyr) Zelensky at the G7. We stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people after last night’s massive Russian strikes," Macron said in a post to social media.

"We are determined to increase pressure on Russia to accept the immediate and unconditional ceasefire that Ukraine is ready for," he added.

Macron attended the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Canada, from June 15-17. Global leaders discussed a wide range of topics, including Russia's war against Ukraine.

As the G7 leaders met in Canada, Russia launched one of its worst drone and missile attacks on Kyiv since it began its full-scale war against Ukraine in February 2022, killing 16 people and injuring at least 134.

"The common position that is emerging is to say, 'We need to strengthen sanctions,'" CBC News reported, citing Macron.

Europe is proposing much tougher sanctions than the U.S. has imposed on Russia, Macron said, adding that the EU is in "very close co-ordination" with Canada, Japan, and the U.K.

Several countries, including Canada and the U.K., introduced additional sanctions on Russia as the G7 summit was ongoing.

Canada introduced a new military aid package for Ukraine in addition to its sanctions against Russia.

"In our view, this has changed the situation because it will allow us to bring Russia back to the negotiating table, as (U.S.) President (Donald) Trump has been demanding," Macron said, according to CBC News.

Zelensky attended the summit and met with various leaders, including Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Zelensky left the summit early, citing Russia's attack on Kyiv. The nearly nine-hour-long attack saw Moscow's forces launch large numbers of drones and missiles at Ukraine's capital.

Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha condemned the attack, calling it a "massive and brutal strike" timed deliberately to coincide with the G7 summit.

Zelensky described the drone and missile assault as "one of the most horrifying attacks on Kyiv."

‘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

Nine Ukrainian students remain hospitalized following a deadly bus accident in France that killed three Ukrainian nationals and injured dozens more, Ukrainian officials confirmed on June 14.

The group, made up of students and teachers from Chernivtsi Oblast, was returning from an academic exchange when their bus veered off the road in the Sarthe department of France on June 13.

While en route to Paris, the bus veered off the road for reasons still under investigation and flipped into a ditch. In addition to the four fatalities, French media reported nine people were seriously injured and 18 sustained minor injuries.

According to Ruslan Zaparaniuk, governor of Chernivtsi Oblast, nine Ukrainian students remain hospitalized, though their conditions are stable. "All other people have received the necessary support, food, and temporary shelter and are now in safe locations," he wrote on Facebook.

Zaparaniuk noted that Ukraine's Embassy in France is organizing the logistics to help the children return home and is assisting parents wishing to travel to France to visit their hospitalized children.

Ukraine's Embassy in France said that a diplomatic team, led by Ambassador Vadym Omelchenko, traveled to the crash site and remains in Sarthe to support victims and coordinate with French authorities.

According to the embassy, two people injured in the crash remain in critical condition. All other victims are receiving medical treatment and support from Ukrainian and French teams.

President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed condolences in a June 13 statement, calling the accident "terrible news" and thanking French authorities for their solidarity and rapid response.

Three Ukrainians killed in bus accident in France, Zelensky confirms

Three Ukrainian nationals were killed in a bus accident in France on June 13, President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed in a statement on Telegram. The accident occurred in northwestern France as a group of Ukrainian adults and children was returning from an educational exchange.

The Kyiv IndependentLucy Pakhnyuk

Three Ukrainian nationals were killed in a bus accident in France on June 13, President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed in a statement on Telegram.

"Terrible news about the tragic bus accident in France," Zelensky wrote.

The accident occurred in the morning of June 13, near the Sarthe department of France. The bus was reportedly carrying Ukrainian nationals, including adults and children, who were returning from an educational exchange.

While en route to Paris, the bus lost control and flipped into a ditch.

Four adults were killed in total – three of whom were Ukrainian nationals. French media reported that nine people sustained serious injuries, while an additional 18 suffered minor injuries.

Zelensky added that Ukraine's Foreign Ministry promptly sent a team of diplomats and consuls, led by the ambassador to France, to assist survivors and support the victims’ families. The team is coordinating with French authorities and emergency services at the scene.

Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko are providing regular updates on the victims' conditions and emerging details regarding the accident.

Zelensky thanked the French authorities, noting that "more than 50 emergency teams were deployed" in what he called "a true expression of French solidarity."

He also expressed his "condolences to all the families of the victims" and wished for a "speedy recovery of the injured children."

Russian military equipment reportedly hit in Ukrainian drone attack against Crimea

The Crimean Wind Telegram channel reported a hit in Simferopol, Crimea’s capital, sharing a photo of a plume of smoke rising in the vicinity of a local power station and of the village of Perevalne.

The Kyiv IndependentMartin Fornusek