Photo : AFP
Photo : AFP
By Fleur Elizabeth Philip
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 27 June, The Kyiv Independent reported on a Russian missile strike on Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region resulting in the death of five and injury of 23. The attack targeted the town of Samar near Dnipro, following earlier strikes in the area that resulted in over 20 deaths. Ukrainian military noted that previous assaults near Samar had struck military training facilities. Additional Russian attacks were reported in the Kharkiv region, where one was killed and three injured, while in southern Kherson, a strike on a major energy facility left residents facing prolonged power outages. The Ukrainian air force reported that Russia launched 363 drones and eight missiles overnight.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 27 June, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, in the Eurasian Economic Union in Minsk, Belarus, spoke on various topics. Starting with the roadmap to peace with Ukraine. He acknowledged the paths to peace made by Ukraine and Russia, that was discussed in the second round of peace talks in Istanbul, and said that the talks were held to get the two countries closer. He welcomed the soldiers who were returned, along with the children and the dead bodies, and added that Russia was ready to send back the remaining 3000 troops to Ukraine, in addition to the 6000 that were returned already. He looks forward to continuing the negotiations with Ukraine.
On NATO, he said that, the western countries spoke about “Russia’s aggressiveness,” and changing everything from what it was, highlighting the member nations supporting the five per cent defence goal proposed by NATO. According to Putin, NATO “lied” in the early 1990s when they promised not to expand eastwards, and have ignored Russia’s security concerns, as they warn that the expansion to the west poses a threat to Russia. He added that Russia has no plans to attack the NATO countries and plans to reduce its defence spending in the coming years. He also spoke on the economy between Russia and NATO countries. He said that Russia is spending 6.3 per cent of its GDP on defence, and acknowledged that the country is paying for it with inflation. He also argued that Russia is paying for its defence industry, whereas NATO members are purchasing weapons from the US. He also added that in the past two years, Russia’s economy has grown significantly by four per cent, whereas the European countries have grown by 0.9 per cent, highlighting the incoming recession for France and Germany.
On the tariffs imposed on Russia, he said that the sweeping sanctions have failed to create an impact on Russia’s growth. He said that the sanctions imposed on Russian oil by the EU and the US do not affect the Russian economy. He concluded by saying that he has “deep respect” for Trump, for his hard work, and dangers, especially the assassination attempt in 2024, and for his efforts to resolve the war with Ukraine. Furthermore, he welcomes American companies into Russian markets and looks forward to a meeting with Trump.
On 27 June, Putin said that Russia was ready for another round of direct peace talks with Ukraine. This comes after Putin’s visit to Belarus, and discussed the timing of a new meeting. Till now, he had rejected all the proposals for a ceasefire, but now it is to be on Russia’s agenda. There has been no breakthrough on peace, or even a ceasefire. The two rounds of peace talks had no significant developments, except for the exchange of prisoners, children, and dead bodies.
On 27 June, The Moscow Times reported on Russia summoning Germany’s Ambassador to Russia, Alexander Graf Lambsdorff, in response to a protest, calling Berlin’s persecution of Russian journalists. This comes after Russia’s top media official, Sergei Feoktistov, and his family’s passports were confiscated, and they were ordered to leave the country. The tensions between Russia and Germany rose following the war between Russia and Ukraine in 2022. Russia has constantly accused the West of persecuting Russian journalists and restricting Kremlin-linked media outside, with the fear of spreading disinformation on the war with Ukraine. In response, Russia has blocked several Western media outlets, barring their journalists from entering the country.
THE WEST VIEW
Responses from Europe and the US
On 27 June, Reuters reported that Germany’s Foreign Ministry rejected the accusations made by Russia that Berlin was persecuting Russian journalists in the country. The ministry said that Russia’s increasing repression of journalists does not align with the principles and rule of law and freedom of the press. In response to the alleged persecution of Russian journalists, Germany’s Ambassador to Russia was called by the Russian Foreign Ministry to inform him of the retaliatory measures that are to be imposed for the same. They added that Berlin must not continue the practice of harassing Russian journalists in Germany.
References
“Vladimir Putin says Moscow is ready for new round of peace talks with Ukraine,” Euronews, 27 June 2025
“Russian missile strike on Dnipropetrovsk Oblast city kills 5, injures 25,” The Kyiv Independent, 27 June 2025
“Moscow Summons German Ambassador Over Alleged ‘Persecution’ of Journalists,” The Moscow Times, 27 June 2025
“Putin respects US once again – Trump,” RT, 28 June 2025
“Germany rejects Russian allegations of journalist harassment,” Reuters, 27 June 2025
“Ukraine conflict settlement, future of US-Russia relations, NATO’s ‘lies’: Highlights from Putin’s Q&A,” RT, 27 June 2025
“Russian involvement suspected in German military truck arson,” Novaya Gazeta, 27 June 2025