Photo : Atlantic Council
Photo : Atlantic Council
By Fleur Elizabeth Philip
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 18 June, according to Ukraine’s Emergency Services, the death toll had increased from 15 to 28, with 130 injured from the previous attacks in Kyiv by Russia. On 17 June, Russia launched airstrikes on Kyiv that led to heavy casualties and infrastructure damage. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia had launched 440 drones and 32 missiles at Kyiv, and considered this attack as one of the most horrific.
On 18 June, Ukrainska Pravda reported on Zelenskyy’s plan to attend the NATO Summit in the Hague, scheduled during 24-25 June 2025. On the same day, Reuters reported that Zelenskyy had left the G7 Summit in Canada, with additional aid from Canada, but did not have the opportunity to talk to Trump about the purchase of US weapons. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said that Canada will provide CAD two billion in military assistance to Kyiv and impose sanctions on Russia. There was a struggle for unity after Trump showed his support to Russia and Putin, and his early departure to address the Israel-Iran conflict.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 18 June, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin expressed willingness to meet Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, but only if it marks the "final phase" of peace negotiations. While signalling openness to substantive discussions on a settlement, Putin repeated his claim that Zelenskyy’s legitimacy expired after his term ended, a claim Ukraine and its allies reject, citing wartime laws that prohibit elections. He also noted that earlier negotiations had led to practical outcomes, such as prisoner swaps and the return of fallen soldiers’ remains.
On 18 June, Russian forces claimed to have attacked Ukrainian troops positioned in the Sumy region with Iskander missiles. The Russian defence ministry did not provide details, but said that the target was around Konotop. The local administration of Ukraine reported that the attack by Russia destroyed several buildings, but no casualties were recorded.
On 18 June, RT reported that Putin told journalists at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum that the rearmament of NATO does not pose a threat to Russia. He added that threats could arise from the US-led military bloc, but Russia can address any that challenge its national security and will mitigate any threats that come its way.
THE WEST VIEW
Claims by Europe and the US
On 18 June, Reuters reported on talks held between Ukraine and US officials on the joint defence projects under the joint investment funds. Ukraine looks to secure support from the US so that the war with Russia will end soon. Ukraine’s Minister of Economy, Yulia Svyrydenko, had discussions with the US Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessant, at the G7 Summit. They spoke about using the funds to support defence sector projects, by using the joint reconstruction fund that was agreed on at the signing of the minerals deal. Furthermore, Zelenskyy said that he is willing to purchase more weapons from the US, and so far, there has not been any response from the US for the same.
On 18 June, the BBC reported on the Slovakian Police's attempt to arrest former Ukrainian Defence Minister Jaroslav Nad, on charges of aid donations to Ukraine. The police said that the case was initiated by the EU’s Public Prosecutor’s Office in Bratislava, where they said that eight people were detained for the misuse of EUR 7.4 million in funds. This incident also exposes the rift between Slovakia and Ukraine. Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico accuses Nad of giving Slovakian fighter jets to Ukraine. The police took action in this case ever since Fico confirmed that they remain neutral in the Russia-Ukraine war.
References
“NATO rearmament is completely pointless – Putin,” RT, 18 June 2025
“Putin discusses NATO, Iran, and Ukraine with international news agencies at SPIEF: Live Updates,” RT, 18 June 2025
“Zelenskyy currently plans to attend NATO summit in The Hague in person – AFP,” Ukrainska Pravda, 18 June 2025
David Ljunggren, Kohn Irish & Andreas Rinke, “Zelenskiy leaves G7 with no Trump meeting or fresh arms support from US,” Reuters, 18 June 2025
“Ukraine says it held talks with the US on supporting defence projects under a joint fund,” Reuters, 18 June 2025
“Slovak bid to arrest ex-defence minister exposes bitter row over war in Ukraine,” BBC, 18 June 2025
“Russian forces hit Ukrainian troops in Sumy region with Iskander missile, TASS says,” Reuters, 18 June 2025