Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for renewed peace talks with Russia and has proposed a direct meeting with President Vladimir Putin. Ukraine’s National Security Chief, Rustem Umerov, is set to offer a new round of dialogue next week. While both nations have expressed interest in discussions, significant differences in their positions remain. Previous attempts at negotiations yielded limited results, though prisoner exchanges and the return of bodies have been facilitated under partial agreements. Zelensky urged maximum effort to achieve a ceasefire.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has proposed restarting peace talks with Russia, following a pause in negotiations last month. In a video message, he said Ukraine's new security chief, Rustem Umerov, offered the proposal to his Russian counterpart. Zelensky also expressed interest in a direct meeting with President Vladimir Putin, calling it crucial for lasting peace. Umerov, who previously led Ukraine’s delegation in peace talks in Turkey, now oversees efforts to revive diplomacy. Russia has yet to respond officially to the latest initiative.

Ukraine has appointed Yulia Svyrydenko as its new Prime Minister, replacing Denys Shmyhal after parliamentary approval. At 39, Svyrydenko previously served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development and Trade. She played a key role in strengthening Ukraine’s ties with the U.S. under the Trump administration. Her priorities include boosting domestic arms production, strengthening the military, and supporting economic growth. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba remains in office, and notable diplomatic changes are underway, including a new ambassador to the U.S.

Ukraine has launched a gamified military initiative called "E-Points," where soldiers earn points—and rewards—for destroying Russian troops and equipment via drones. Inspired by video game mechanics, the system incentivizes strategic kills: 50 points for a rocket launcher, 40 for a tank, and so on. Each drone strike is recorded and analyzed in Kyiv for accuracy and reward allocation. While some soldiers find it motivating, others criticize it as a reflection of a distorted wartime mindset. The program is led by Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.

US President Donald Trump has advised Ukraine against launching strikes on Moscow, countering earlier reports that claimed he encouraged attacks inside Russia. According to the White House, Trump’s comments were exploratory rather than directive. He has issued a 50-day ultimatum to Russia to end the war or face 100% tariffs on its exports. Simultaneously, Trump pledged continued military assistance to Ukraine.

Frustrated with Russian President Vladimir Putin, former US President Donald Trump has issued a 50-day ultimatum to end the war in Ukraine, warning of imposing 100% sanctions on Russia if hostilities continue. In a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump reportedly asked whether Ukraine could strike Moscow and St. Petersburg, to which Zelensky responded affirmatively if supplied with adequate weapons. Trump also pledged to provide Ukraine with the Patriot missile defense system. Meanwhile, Russia warned that Trump’s aggressive rhetoric could prolong the war and escalate tensions. Analysts believe Trump’s shift in strategy stems from failed negotiations and Putin’s stubborn stance.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced a major government reshuffle over three years into Russia’s invasion. He has proposed Finance Minister Yulia Svyrydenko as the new Prime Minister and plans to appoint current Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal as Defense Minister. The reshuffle comes amid military setbacks and intensified Russian airstrikes. Zelensky emphasized the need for fresh energy in leadership and a renewed focus on the war effort, economy, and defense. Parliamentary approval is required, but backing is likely.

A recent report claiming that North Korea plans to deploy 30,000 troops to support Russia in its war against Ukraine has been dismissed by Ukraine’s military intelligence agency.

Ukrainian officials stated they have found no evidence to support the claim of such a large-scale deployment. However, they acknowledged receiving information suggesting that a smaller force of approximately 1,500 to 3,000 North Korean troops, along with 50 to 100 military units, could be sent between July and August.

North Korea has already been providing military support to Russia, including weapons, and the two countries have recently strengthened defense cooperation through bilateral agreements.

Ukraine has announced its decision to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel landmines, citing national security needs and the ongoing Russian invasion. The move requires parliamentary approval and UN notification. Other Eastern European nations — including Finland, Poland, and the Baltics — are also stepping away from the treaty, citing modern warfare realities. Analysts suggest these countries may begin producing and stockpiling landmines by 2025, further intensifying militarization along NATO’s eastern front.

Leonid Pasechnik, the Russian-appointed official in Ukraine's Luhansk region, has claimed that Russian forces now fully control the territory. If confirmed, Luhansk would be the first Ukrainian region entirely under Russian control since the full-scale invasion began over three years ago. The area was one of four regions Russia claimed to annex in September 2022. Earlier on June 20, President Putin reiterated his ambition to absorb all of Ukraine into Russia.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict, now over 1,220 days long, has seen Russia escalate its military actions, aiming to fully annex Ukraine. Ukrainian forces face nearly 700,000 Russian troops, especially around strategic areas like Pokrovsk. The US has paused military aid, but Europe and Canada pledged $35 billion in support for early 2025. The UK and Norway are providing technical assistance, while Ukraine develops its own missile technology. Ukraine’s ambitions to join NATO and the EU continue, despite Russia’s concerns and EU’s sanction disagreements.

Russian forces claim to have seized control of a village near lithium deposits in eastern Ukraine, despite fierce Ukrainian resistance. The Russian Defense Ministry said on Thursday that they have taken control of Novoselivka and Shevchenko in Donetsk. Meanwhile, both Russia and Ukraine have conducted another prisoner exchange, with soldiers returning to their respective countries. However, there has been no progress on peace talks.

At least 10 people have died following a large-scale Russian drone and missile strike on Kyiv and surrounding areas, according to Ukrainian officials. Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv’s military administration, described it as another major assault directly targeting residential zones. Ukraine’s Air Force reported that Russia deployed 352 drones, 11 ballistic missiles, and 5 cruise missiles during the attack.

Following peace talks in Turkey, Russia and Ukraine announced on Tuesday that they had completed a prisoner exchange involving seriously wounded and sick soldiers. This exchange came a day after the two countries carried out a swap of prisoners under the age of 25. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that this marks the first phase of repatriating Ukraine’s critically injured soldiers, all of whom require immediate medical attention. "We are making every effort to locate and bring back all our prisoners," he said. Russia’s Defense Ministry stated that Russian prisoners were first transported to Belarus, located between the two warring nations, before being returned to Russia for treatment and rehabilitation.