Zelenskyy will ask Trump about introducing new sanctions against Russia at G7 summit

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he expects to speak with U.S. President Donald Trump at the G7 summit to discuss the possibility of new U.S. sanctions against Russia, according to Ukrinform and European Pravda.

Zelenskyy noted that while the final decision lies with Trump, he hopes to understand how close the U.S. is to taking action. He also emphasized the importance of coordinating sanctions with the EU and aligning positions as a step forward.

New stage of prisoner swap under the Istanbul agreements completed

On 12 June, Ukraine secured the return of another group of severely wounded and seriously ill soldiers from Russian captivity under the Istanbul agreements.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that the freed men are from the Armed Forces, National Guard, and Border Guard Service. Many had been held for over three years, including defenders of Mariupol. Some had previously been listed as missing in action.

The soldiers fought in Donetsk, Kherson, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Luhansk. They will receive full medical care, rehabilitation, and compensation for their time in captivity.

Germany is not considering Taurus missile supplies to Ukraine

Germany is not currently considering the supply of Taurus long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine, despite earlier speculation. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius clearly stated today that "there will be no Taurus missiles in Ukraine" and that the government is not preparing their delivery. This stance follows reports of opposition from German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil, who cited high costs, lengthy training requirements, and concerns that supplying Taurus missiles could be perceived by Russia as Germany's direct involvement in the conflict, escalating tensions further.

Instead of providing Taurus missiles, Germany has focused on alternative military support for Ukraine. During Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Berlin on May 28, 2025, Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced a €5 billion aid package, emphasizing joint production of long-range weapons within Ukraine itself, without range restrictions. While Merz previously suggested that Taurus deliveries were "within the realm of possibility," he has not committed to supplying them, prioritizing faster-to-deploy systems and investments in Ukraine’s defense industry, such as air defense systems and artillery, to bolster Kyiv’s immediate military capabilities.