Scholz positively affirms Ukraine's receipt of a pledged 50 billion in assistance.

Scholz positively affirms Ukraine's receipt of a projected $50 billion in aid.

Chancellor Scholz of Germany is confident that the $50 billion aid package for Ukraine, agreed upon at the G7 summit, will be delivered, despite persistent doubts. "I am now absolutely certain that it will succeed," Scholz told ZDF. "Ukraine now knows it will receive support."

18:20 Fire at Russian Gas Pipeline in Saratov: A blaze has erupted at a gas pipeline in the Russian region of Saratov, according to local governor Roman Busargin. The incident happened close to Saratov city, around 470 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. The pipeline has reportedly been shut down due to an accident. It is believed high temperatures led to a pressure loss, causing the fire, as per Busargin's statement on Telegram. No casualties have been reported. Residents in the area have claimed multiple explosions and a large fire.

17:35 Russian Jet Breaches Swedish Airspace: A Russian military aircraft breached Swedish airspace, according to reports from Stockholm. Swedish Defense Ministry reported that a Su-24 combat aircraft was intercepted by a Swedish Jas-39 Gripen. The incident, which occurred in the afternoon on Friday, lasted only a few minutes. Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom denounced Russia's actions as unacceptable, and announced plans to summon the Russian ambassador. This is the first such incident by Russian military jets since 2022, following Sweden's recent membership in NATO and its announced participation in airspace monitoring under NATO command.

17:08 Meloni Labels Putin's Conditions as "Propaganda": Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni labeled Russian President Vladimir Putin's conditions for peace talks with Ukraine as "propaganda." "It seems that this proposal for negotiations with Ukraine to withdraw from Ukraine does not seem particularly effective to me," Meloni stated at a press conference. Putin had stated that the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from occupied regions by Russia and renouncing NATO membership were conditions for a ceasefire and peace talks the day before the Ukraine peace conference in Switzerland.

16:48 Nehammer: West Alone Cannot Change Russia's Mind: Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer views the Ukraine conference in Switzerland as a potential solution to the deadlock. "We are in a Western echo chamber. We all agree, but that's not enough," the Austrian chancellor said. The EU and US are attempting to garner more allies to increase pressure on Moscow in the Ukraine war. However, without the involvement of parts of Asia, Africa, and South America, it will not be possible to change Russia's stance, as per Nehammer.

16:30 Zelenskyy Anticipates Historic Peace Summit: Ukrainian President Zelenskyy expects significant progress at the upcoming conference in Switzerland. At the summit, "history will be written," as the first steps towards peace in Ukraine may be initiated. Experts and critics are skeptical about any breakthrough, as Russia will not be present at the summit. The summit focuses on three main areas: nuclear security, food security, and humanitarian concerns. The list of topics to be discussed is shorter than the contents of Zelenskyy's ten-point plan, which included demands such as the withdrawal of Russian soldiers from occupied territories and the cessation of hostilities.

16:03 Weichert on Peace Conference: "Surprising Absence of Moscow's Allies": A peace conference for Ukraine in Switzerland is hoped to curb Russia's offensive war against the country. The lack of Russian representation at the summit raises questions about its impact.

15:27 Zelenskyy Sees Increasing Pressure on Moscow: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy perceives the pressure on Moscow escalating due to the peace conference in Switzerland. The two-day meeting of 92 countries and eight international organizations is expected to reinforce the idea that collective efforts can stop a war and foster trust and peace, as per Zelenskyy. Meanwhile, the host is playing down expectations for the conference. "Our expectations are modest," says Swiss Federal President Viola Amherd. The primary focus is on inspiring a process for a sustainable and just peace. International law forms the basis of the international order, as per Amherd, and Russia's attack is in clear violation of it.

14:59 Harris Arrives in Switzerland for Ukraine Peace Conference: US Vice President Kamala Harris arrived in Switzerland for the peace conference for Ukraine in the afternoon, as reported by Swiss news agency Keystone-sda. Harris flew from Zurich airport to the conference venue on Bürgenstock by helicopter, as US President Joe Biden is campaigning in California for the elections. It is uncertain whether there will be a joint closing declaration, given the numerous contentious issues among the delegations. There is a possibility of a declaration without consensus.

14:34 Russians Block Views of "Admiral Gorshkov": Russia is sending four navy ships to Cuba, including an atomic-powered submarine and the warship "Admiral Gorshkov." Russia is welcoming visitors for a tour of the ship, which is proving to be a target of onlookers.

14:01 No Block on New Russia Sanctions by Germany: Scholz Refutes Claims: Chancellor Scholz of Germany has denied allegations that Germany is obstructing new Russia sanctions within the EU.

10:30 Scholz Rejects Claims of Germany Thwarting Russia Sanctions in EU

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz refutes accusations of Germany obstructing fresh Russia sanctions within the EU. "It's not being obstructed. We're discussing the exact implementation," Scholz tells Welt TV and other media outlets of the Axel-Springer-Conglomerate. "The focus is on ensuring the German economy can carry on operations." At the same time, it is essential to ensure that goods intended for delivery to South America, Asia, or Africa don't "find their way to Russia indirectly," Scholz adds. He remains upbeat that an agreement will be reached soon. "This is a practical matter, not a fundamental issue." The new sanctions package includes a series of measures against evading sanctions. Additionally, there are plans, for the first time, to limit Russian liquid gas imports, but not an outright ban, as the European Parliament demands.

13:38 USA Provides Additional Aid for Ukraine's Energy Sector

US Vice President Kamala Harris announces a $1.5 billion aid package to resurrect Ukraine's energy sector. The funds will aid in rebuilding infrastructure damaged during the conflict, as Harris' office, participating in the Ukraine peace conference in Switzerland, communicates. Additionally, more than $379 million in humanitarian aid for Ukraine is planned.

13:18 Jaeger Clarifies Summit Questions: Is there a Meeting with Putin after Switzerland?

Following the G7 summit, pro-Ukraine countries are hosting a peace conference in Switzerland. The conference's expectations and the next steps in a peace plan for Ukraine are discussed by ntv with political scientist Thomas Jaeger.

12:43 Swedish Fighters Intercept Russian Military Aircraft

A Russian military aircraft supposedly breached the Swedish airspace on Friday, according to the Swedish military. The aircraft entered the Swedish airspace east of the Baltic Sea island of Gotland and ignored warnings, the Swedish military reports. Two Swedish fighter jets then intercepted the SU-24. Previously, the Finnish border guard had expressed suspicion that four Russian military aircraft had entered the Finnish airspace on the previous Monday. Sweden has repeatedly raised concerns about a potential Russian attack, especially regarding the strategically significant island of Gotland.

12:07 Brigade: No Nation at Peace Understands Modern Warfare Realities

The 47th Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, frequently deployed to frontlines with intense fighting, uses, among other things, US Bradley combat tanks of the M1A1 type. The heavily demanded military equipment from abroad is reportedly quite maintenance-intensive by the brigade. "Every piece of equipment must be repaired and improved, especially foreign equipment. Because no country in the world, at peace, will ever comprehend the realities of modern warfare," the 47th shares on social media. "The main advantage of the Armored Personnel Carrier is its accuracy, excellent stability, and maneuverability despite its high weight," says a commander. The Bradley is well-suited for combat both during the day and at night due to its good thermal imaging cameras.

11:35 Russia Reports Multiple Casualties after Ukrainian Attacks

According to Russian reports, five people were killed and several were injured in Ukrainian attacks on the Russian border city of Schebekino. As the governor of the region Belgorod, Vyacheslav Gladkov, reports, four bodies were recovered from the rubble of a house. A woman reportedly died in the hospital. Six civilians were also reportedly injured during the attack on the late Friday evening. The 40,000-inhabitant city of Schebekino is located in the south of the Russian region Belgorod, which borders the Ukrainian region Kharkiv. Russian troops began a ground offensive there on May 10.

10:56 Ukrainian Intelligence Reports Drone Swarm Attack on Russian Airfield

The head of the Ukrainian military intelligence, Kirill Budanov, confirms, according to the War Zone medium, a drone swarm attack on the Morosovsk airfield in Russia. At least 70 drones were reportedly used in the attack. Su-34 fighter jets were allegedly stationed at the base. Budanov does not mention the number of jets hit. The assessment of Russian losses is still ongoing. Satellite images, which War Zone published, show signs of the alleged attack:

10:15 Ukraine Preparing Systematically for New War Phase

The Ukrainian armed forces have been targeting Russian air defense systems in recent weeks and destroying them. Military expert Nico Lange believes that the increased use of combat aircraft is being prepared. "Ukraine is preparing systematically and meticulously the deployment of its own Su-24, British and French cruise missiles, and the use of F-16," he tells Bild. Ukraine had previously stated that one of its goals was to gain air superiority, in order to repel Russian forces. The first F-16s are expected to fly combat missions this summer and thus mark a new phase. However, Kiev is likely to initially only be able to deploy a few combat jets due to a shortage of pilots. It is hoped that the F-16s will be able to shoot down planes that fire bombs from Russian territory onto Ukraine.

The incident occurred near the island of Gotland.

09:33 Scholz Responds to Putin's Peace Proposals

Putin's peace proposals for the initiation of peace talks have not been discussed at the G7 summit, according to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who spoke to ZDF. He stated that everyone knows these proposals were not serious but rather had something to do with the conference in Switzerland. Putin had presented conditions for peace talks with the Ukrainian government on Friday. Russia would cease fighting if Ukraine abandoned its attempts to join NATO, he declared. In addition, he demanded the withdrawal of the Ukrainian army from the four regions that Russia had declared annexed. More on this can be read here.

G7 Summit Conclusion and Upcoming Peace Conference Discussion

The G7 summit in Italy has concluded and the peace conference in Switzerland commences, although not all G7 members are attending further. Ntv-Correspondent Holger Schmidt-Denker acknowledges the summit's success and provides insights into the support for Ukraine:

08:35 Heusgen Anticipates Little Political Progress from Ukraine Peace Conference

Christoph Heusgen, organizer of the Munich Security Conference, predicts little political progress from the upcoming Ukraine peace conference in Switzerland. He believes the conference will display images of solidarity and hopefully a forceful concluding statement. Central to the event will be that representatives from countries in Asia, Latin America, and Africa participate. This participation will have an impact in other parts of the world. Heusgen points out that Russia has questioned the international rule-based order, which concerns countries in the global South. In his opinion, the two-day meeting will show the extent of restraint currently within the international community regarding Russia and China.

07:47 Military Analyst: Peace Conference Could Inaugurate Process, Potentially Involving Russia

According to military analyst Nico Lange, the peace conference in Switzerland could initiate a process with the potential for Russia's future participation. Lange maintains that it is worth meeting. He states that no blockage of food supplies, no nuclear weapons, and exchange of prisoners of war are universally accepted principles. Lange believes that Russia will only engage in severe weapons talks in Ukraine when it is under military stress. "Putin still harbors the belief that he can accomplish his objectives, even with the hope that Americans and Europeans may fail," Lange added.

07:03 Defense Contractor: Augsburg Can Still Protect but Berlin Cannot

The CEO of defense contractor KNDS cannot see the current German government enriching Germany's defense capabilities. In terms of contracts, he sees no discernible change. "Over ninety percent of our order intake in 2023 came not from Germany but from other NATO countries," Frank Haun, whose company produces the Leopard 2 combat tank, explained. Despite this, Haun emphasizes: "We have only about 300 operational Leopard 2 tanks in Germany. Therefore, I often say: Augsburg can still protect it, Munich and Berlin however, not anymore."

06:30 European Commission Discusses 2.5 Million Artillery Shell Production by Year's End

According to the French EU Commissioner Thierry Breton, the European Union will have a production capacity of 1.7 million essential 155mm artillery shells by the end of the year. The expectation is for over 2 million by the next year. "Our aim is to reach 2.5 million by the end of 2025," Breton told "La Tribune" in an interview. The EU has agreed on a €500 million program to finance a series of factories for the production of munition. The Ukraine has been experiencing a significant shortage of 155mm artillery shells compared to the Russian side for a long time.

05:54 EU Plans to Begin Accession Talks with Ukraine and Moldova Soon

The EU states have agreed, in principle, to initiate accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova. According to the Belgian EU Council presidency, the first government conferences are expected to be summoned on June 25. The decision must be formally confirmed at an EU Council meeting on June 21, and the approval of the Dutch Parliament is also necessary. The European Council President, Charles Michel, indicated on X, regarding this crucial decision, stating that the EU would uphold its promises and support Ukraine and Moldova "on their path to membership." The European Commission had already certified in June that Ukraine and Moldova had fulfilled all the conditions for the start of accession talks.

04:54 Casualties Reported in Attacks in Russia and Ukraine

Yesterday in the Russian region of Belgorod, according to local authorities, six people lost their lives. Four of them were located within the debris of a multi-story building in the city of Schebekino. A man was struck by a drone from Ukraine in his car, and a woman was killed by rocket fire in the further west-lying settlement of Oktjabrski in her home, reported the region's governor, Wjatscheslaw Gladkow. On the Ukrainian side, in Schostka, Sumy region, a person was killed, according to Ukrainian military reports. The residents of the Sumy region face daily attacks from Russia.

02:26 Russia Preparing to Transport Cultural Heritage and Historical Artifacts from Crimea

Russia may be preparing for the transportation of cultural heritage and historical artifacts from the annexed Crimea. This is indicated in a report by the Ukrainian news portal Ukrajinska Prawda, citing a letter from the Russian-controlled "Culture Ministry" of Crimea to museum directors about potential "evacuations." The Russians are supposedly attempting to speed up the classification and evaluation of exhibits with electronic registers. The Ukrainian Center for National Resistance fears that the most valuable artifacts from Crimea could be taken to the internationally recognized Russian territory.

00:40 A dozen children, held within territories governed by Russians, have relocated to areas controlled by Ukrainians, as per Ukrainian officials. The children, comprising of three boys and nine girls ranging from ages 2 to 17, have been transported from the region of Kherson to areas controlled by Ukraine, as per the region's governor, Oleksandr Prokudin, on Telegram. Ukrainian authorities allege that Russia has bearing in the abduction of nearly 20,000 Ukrainian children from eastern and southern regions of Ukraine since the hostilities started in February 2022. Numerous children still dwell under Russian control. The retrieval of the children is a diplomatic priority for the Ukrainian administration.

23:14 A gas transshipment terminal for Russian gas shipments in Russia has been hit, as per Russian reports. The governor of the Kursk region, Alexey Smirnov, announced on Telegram that Ukraine was responsible for targeting numerous settlements, including the city of Sudja. The terminal is the last operational distribution center for Russian gas exports to Europe through Ukraine. Smirnov acknowledges no harm to the gas infrastructure yet reports that two individuals were injured and a house was destroyed. The accountable Ukrainian organization denies that the Russian gas transit was affected.

22:27 Austin: Putin cannot dictate the conditions for peace to Ukraine, states US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. "Putin has wrongfully seized sovereign Ukrainian territory," Austin commented after a NATO defense ministers meeting in Brussels. "We don't desire a country's leader one day to awaken and decree to eliminate the boundaries of his neighbor and annex its territory. That's not the universe we all wish to coexist in." Putin cannot lay down the law for Ukraine regarding the demands for peace. Putin could end this conflict today. Putin previously demanded the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from territories Russia had officially annexed as a pre-requisite for a probable peace agreement, which includes regions that Russia hadn't controlled yet. At the same time, he echoed all demands he initiated since the war he ordered in February 2022. These encompassed a neutral, neutral, and nuclear-weapons-free Ukraine. Ukraine must also "de-Nazify" - a term Russia interprets as a government in Kiev that is favorable to Moscow.

21:56 Europe blocks the adoption of fresh sanctions against Russia. The EU countries were initially meant to discuss the 14th sanctions package against Russia during their regular meeting of ambassadors, but Germany had expressed reservations about the proposal, which were not addressed. The start of accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova is a significant development, particularly towards Kiev. The Ukraine peace conference starts on Saturday in Switzerland.

21:48 EU-States have essentially agreed to initiate entry talks with Ukraine and Moldova. This was stated by the Belgian EU Presidency in Brussels.

21:18 Finland: Four Russian military aircraft supposedly breached the nation's airspace. The Finnish Border Guard indicates that on the previous Monday, four Russian military aircraft possibly violated the airspace of the northern European nation. The Defense Ministry initially assumed only one aircraft. However, during the course of the investigation into the incident, more evidence has emerged to suggest that three more aircraft had also violated the boundaries. The involvement appears to involve two bombers and two fighter jets.

20:46 Putin wants to construct a global security system - and NATO can join. Russian President Vladimir Putin opines that the Western model for global security has collapsed, in his opinion. One can observe the disintegration of the European-transatlantic system, Putin told representatives of the Russian Foreign Ministry. The world has reached a point where nations cannot return. He accuses the USA of compromising global security by abandoning arms control agreements. Putin advocates for the establishment of a new global security system. This will be open to all, including NATO.

20:16 Putin claims that 700,000 Russian soldiers are actively engaged in Ukraine, according to Russian President Vladimir Putin. In December, he had declared that there were 617,000 soldiers. By the end of May, the British intelligence service estimated that approximately 500,000 Russian soldiers have succumbed to injuries since the onset of the invasion. According to the platform "Mediazona" and the Russian branch of the BBC, 136,500 Russian soldiers have been martyred in Ukraine. Based on publicly accessible sources, the death of around 50,000 Russian soldiers has been confirmed. The Kremlin has thus far only acknowledged the death of around 6,000 fighters in September 2022.