06:11 Ukraine continues to reject territorial concessions to Putin
Ukraine continues to reject territorial concessions to Russia for ending the war, according to Ukrainian Presidential Chief of Staff Andrij Yermak. "We are not willing to make compromises on important things and values," Yermak told journalists, naming "independence, freedom, democracy, territorial integrity, sovereignty." Yermak's response comes during a visit to Washington following remarks from Republican US Presidential candidate Donald Trump, who claimed he could quickly end the conflict. The Ukrainian government is open to advice, however, to achieve a "just peace." Trump stated during a television debate that he would not accept Putin's conditions. Putin had declared that Russia would end the war if Kiev agreed to the transfer of territories claimed and occupied by Moscow in the east and south of the country. In response to a question on how Ukraine views Trump's approach to the war, Yermak replied: "Honestly speaking: I don't know. We'll see."
05:42: USA to provide urgent military aid for UkraineThe Ukrainian military is in dire need of supplies to counter the Russian offensive. The USA will make available to Ukraine, in the near future, military aid in the amount of approximately 2.3 billion US dollars (around 2.14 billion Euros) to help defend against the Russian attack. This was announced by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin during a visit by his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umjerow in Washington. The aid package includes "additional air defense systems, anti-tank weapons, and other important ammunition from US stocks," Austin explained. Additionally, a "realignment of some foreign military deliveries" will enable the US to provide Munition for Patriot and other air defense systems "in a expedited timeline."
04:49: NATO to expand civilian presence in KyivThe NATO is expanding its civilian presence in the attacked Ukraine. A spokesperson confirmed that the 32 alliance members have decided to send special representatives to the capital Kyiv. The high-ranking official is to coordinate political and practical support from the alliance on site. The background is that the NATO intends to launch a new deployment at the upcoming summit in Washington to coordinate weapons deliveries and training activities for the Ukrainian armed forces. The headquarters for this new NATO post in Kyiv is to be built in Wiesbaden, Germany. Who will receive the new NATO position in Kyiv is still unknown.
03:42: UN demand release of GershkovichUN experts describe the detention of US journalist Evan Gershkovich in Russia on espionage charges as "arbitrary" and demand his "immediate" release. "The detention of Evan Gershkovich is arbitrary" and violates several articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the experts write in a statement. Taking into account the circumstances of the case, the "immediate" release of Gershkovich is appropriate.
02:40 Serbian President Vucic receives Russian deputy foreign ministerThe Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic received the Russian deputy foreign minister Alexander Gruschko in Belgrade. He spoke with Gruschko about the bilateral relations between Serbia and Russia and assessed them as "very good", Vucic stated on Instagram. He also thanked Russia "for its support of Serbia's territorial integrity, as well as in regard to the UN resolution on Srebrenica". Moscow still refuses to recognize Kosovo's independence. Serbia has been an EU membership candidate since 2012 but continues to maintain good relations with the Kreml despite the Russian annexation of Crimea.
01:29 Russian court sentences 19-year-old to twelve yearsA Russian court sentenced a 19-year-old man to twelve years in prison for "high treason", after he was accused of donating money to the Ukrainian army. "The Rostov Regional Court found him guilty and sentenced him to a twelve-year term in a penal colony", according to a comment by the Russian domestic intelligence service FSB, which was picked up by the state-controlled Kremlin media. The teenager is alleged to have sent money to help the Ukrainian army buy food and drones. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, thousands of Russians have been arrested and many of them have been imprisoned. According to Amnesty International, at least 21,000 people were targets of repressions against war opponents in 2023.
00:20 One quarter of US citizens find US aid to Ukraine insufficientAlmost a quarter of Americans believe that the United States is not providing enough military aid to Ukraine. This percentage has risen since November last year, according to a survey by the Pew Research Center. According to the survey, 24% of respondents believe that the United States is not providing enough aid, compared to 18% in November 2023, the last time the survey was conducted. However, more Americans (31%) believe that the United States is providing too much aid, and 25% believe that it is providing the right amount.
22:53 Lithuania reports airspace violation by Russian aircraftLithuania reports a violation of its airspace by a Russian aircraft. The unspecified aircraft of the Russian airline Pobeda allegedly entered the airspace of the Baltic EU and NATO member unlawfully in the evening of June 30 and stayed there for approximately one minute. The representative of the Russian embassy was summoned and the Russian authorities were urged to take all necessary measures to prevent such incidents in the future. The airspace violation occurred over the Baltic Sea, as the aircraft was on its way from Moscow to the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad bordering Lithuania. The EU has closed its airspace to Russian aircraft as a reaction to Russia's aggression in Ukraine.
22:12 Survey in Member States: High Trust in NATO, Low Trust in Zelenskyy
Coming Week, NATO Celebrates Its 75-Year Anniversary. In member states, the transatlantic defense alliance is generally well-regarded, according to a Pew Research survey. On average in 13 countries, 63% of the population holds a positive opinion, while 33% hold a negative one. Germany, with 64% positive sentiment, is just above the average. Exceptional is the assessment in Poland: 91% have a positive image of the alliance. The trust in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stands at an average of 40% and has decreased in member states in the past year. Notable is Poland, where the head of state has lost 22 percentage points - from 70 to 48%. In Germany, trust has decreased by 7 percentage points to 54%.
21:27 Zelenskyy Rejects Orban's Peace Proposal
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected a peace proposal from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán for peace talks, according to the Presidential Press Office. During his first visit to Kiev since the war began, Orbán proposed a rapid ceasefire that could "accelerate peace negotiations with Moscow," he said. "The president listened to him, but in response, he clarified Ukraine's position and rejected the proposal," the spokesperson said. Previously, Kiev had already rejected ceasefires, citing the possibility that Russian forces could reorganize during this time.
21:02 Ukraine: Moscow Recruits Minors
Russia is actively recruiting minors for the war in Ukraine, Ukraine claims. The recruitment contracts are allegedly signed with minors, taking effect upon reaching adulthood. "They hope to recruit tens of thousands of teenagers with propaganda," the National Resistance Center warns: "We warn that any enemy on our territory will be eliminated." On occupied Ukrainian territory, Russia also employs minors, for example, to manufacture drones.
You can read about previous developments here.
- In response to the ongoing Ukrainian-Russian conflict, the United States has announced plans to provide Ukraine with approximately 2.3 billion USD in military aid, including additional air defense systems, anti-tank weapons, and ammunition.
- Following the announcement of U.S. military aid, NATO has decided to expand its civilian presence in Ukraine by sending special representatives to Kyiv to coordinate political and practical support.
- The Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has rejected a peace proposal from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán during his visit to Kiev, citing Ukraine's position and the potential for Russian forces to reorganize during a ceasefire.
- The Russian military is reportedly recruiting minors for the war in Ukraine, with recruitment contracts signed with minors to take effect upon reaching adulthood, according to Ukrainian claims.
- The Russian government has sentenced a 19-year-old man to twelve years in prison for "high treason" after he was accused of donating money to the Ukrainian army to help buy food and drones.
