Ukraine Breaking News Today Live on 06-16-2024

President Zelensky, however, revealed that Russia was "not ready" to discuss a just and lasting peace.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday that he would be open to immediate peace talks with Russia if it pulled its troops out of his country.

"Russia can start the negotiations with us tomorrow, not waiting for anything, if they pull out from our legal territories," Zelensky told reporters at a press conference in Switzerland following a major diplomatic summit on Kyiv's plan to end the conflict.

Ukraine will kick off their EURO 2024 campaign on June 17, with a group game against Romania in München.

Having recently completed their two-week training camp, the Ukrainian team now eagerly awaits the Romanians on Monday. This match will be Ukraine’s first of three during the group stages of the 2024 European Championships.

The Ukrainian squad will feel ready for this match. During their preparations, they played Germany, Poland, and Moldova in a series of preparatory matches, fielding a strong line up against the Germans. This saw them earn an impressive draw. 

Now that the arms flow to Ukraine has been unblocked by Congress, Kyiv is managing to stymie the Russian offensive. But it’s time to unblock some of Washington’s preconceptions.

Recent events in and around Ukraine have improved substantially since the United States re-assumed its leadership role. In fact, on the battlefield, Ukraine has stopped the Russian onslaught in the northeast near the city of Kharkiv, and Ukrainian defense systems most recently knocked out 29 out of 30 Russian drones and missiles.

Ukraine was the primary subject of the G7 Summit in Italy concluding with a ten year Security Agreement signed between the United States and Ukraine. Ukraine was the main subject at a NATO convocation of defense leaders in Brussels.

The declaration underscores the belief that achieving peace requires the involvement of and dialogue between all parties.

The joint declaration signed by representatives from numerous countries and organizations following the Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland urges the return of all prisoners of war (POW) and deportees to Ukraine, along with Kyiv's control over the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant.

According to reports, 80 countries and four organizations signed the declaration, but notable non-signatories include Saudi Arabia, Thailand, India, Mexico, South Africa, Brazil, and the United Arab Emirates, as reported by Radio Svoboda.

Rarely have the ethical lines been so clear-cut in any war. Those who call Ukraine supporters warmongers are just “miserable creatures” hiding behind pacifist ideals to cover their own cravenness.

The absurdity of labeling politicians and countries that support Ukraine’s defense against Russia as “warmongers” or “pro-war” is laughable, yet these ludicrous claims are running rife on social media. Is it a classic case of blaming the fireman for trying to put out the fire or is it part of a larger disinformation war?

When a sovereign nation is invaded, it becomes a moral imperative for the global community to assist, especially when the aggressor blatantly disregards international laws, the rules of war and human decency.

This mortar is one of the largest-caliber and most powerful artillery systems, designed to destroy strong fortifications and for urban combat.

A video circulating on social media reportedly showcased the destruction of a 240mm Russian 2S4 Tyulpan [Tulip] self-propelled mortar by Ukrainian troops using an American HIMARS multiple-launch missile system.

The 2S4 Tyulpan is one of the largest-caliber and most powerful artillery systems, with a 240 mm caliber, designed specifically for destroying strong fortifications and for use in urban combat.

According to new estimates, more than 50 percent of Ukraine's power production capacity has been destroyed, the government said.

Norway said Sunday that it would provide 1.1 billion kroner ($103 million) to Ukraine to help repair its energy infrastructure and secure the country's electricity supply before next winter.

"Russia is carrying out massive, systematic attacks to paralyse the power grid, but Ukrainians are working day and night to maintain essential electricity supplies for the population," Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said in a statement.

The world in focus, as seen by a Canadian leading global affairs analyst, writer and speaker, in his review of international media.

The leaders of Italy and Germany have strongly rejected ceasefire terms laid out by Vladimir Putin to stop the war in Ukraine, as scores of countries gathered at a two-day summit in Switzerland to discuss ending the conflict. Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the Russian president's plan "propaganda" which effectively suggested that Ukraine "must withdraw from Ukraine". German Chancellor Olaf Scholz dismissed it as a "dictatorial peace". A draft declaration issued at the summit reaffirms Ukraine's territorial integrity and unambiguously rejects any nuclear threat against the country. On Friday, Mr Putin claimed he would agree to a ceasefire if Ukraine withdrew troops from four regions which Russia partially occupies and claims to have annexed. Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, told the BBC at the Swiss summit that there would be "no compromise on independence, sovereignty or territorial integrity". Mr Putin revealed his terms ahead of the two-day Summit on Peace in Ukraine which is aimed at discussing the basic principles for ending the war. More than 90 countries and global institutions are attending the event. It is the biggest gathering for Ukraine since the full-scale invasion. - BBC

During the Summit, participants will discuss three issues: nuclear safety, food security, and the release of all prisoners and deportees. Separately, Scholz tweeted from Switzerland: “It is true, peace in Ukraine can’t be achieved without involving Russia. But let us not forget that, as we speak, Russia continues to relentlessly wage its brutal war. We all know: Russia could end this war today once it ceases its onslaught and withdraws troops from Ukraine. With today’s Summit on Peace in Ukraine we can enter into a truly global exchange on principles for a just, lasting and comprehensive peace. We should jointly seek to achieve a framework and roadmap for concrete steps in this direction.” At the start of the summit, Zelensky said: “I believe that we will witness history being made here at the summit. May a just peace be established as soon as possible.”

The nuclear safety group will assess the fragile situation at Ukraine's nuclear power plants, especially Zaporizhzhia, where all reactors have been shut down since mid-April.

The international Ukraine peace summit was to focus Sunday on food security, avoiding a nuclear disaster and returning deported children from Russia as countries outlined building blocks towards ending the war.

More than two years after Russia invaded, leaders and top officials from more than 90 states were spending the weekend at a Swiss mountainside resort for a landmark two-day summit dedicated to resolving the largest European conflict since World War II.

In spite of the war the Ukrainian prison system is implementing an amazing program of reform.

His hands carefully went through the earth, checking the quality and then cupping it in his hands to smell. It was clear it was not the first time he worked in a vegetable garden, but it sure was the first time this happened in prison. His face told it all. A second prisoner also stood by with wide-open eyes. I asked him what he thought of it and his answer was short and snappy: “Super!”

On June 7, 2024, a Dutch team of trainers worked for the fourth time in Drohobych prison, contributing to the development of a new prison mental health system in Ukraine. The group consists of a former prison director, a psychiatrist, a psychologist and a sports trainer, all with many years of experience in prison mental health and a long track record of working in the region.

Members of the Ukrainian national team will be hoping to put on an impressive display, acting as ambassadors for their country and reminding the world of Russia’s ongoing atrocities.

Between June 14 and July 14, a total of 24 national teams across the European continent are competing in the 2024 European Championships in Germany. Under pressure to perform well, the players will want to make their compatriots proud and portray a positive image of their respective countries to millions of viewers. 

For Ukraine, participation at EURO 2024 goes beyond sport. The national team will hope to boost the morale and spirits of a country of 41 million tormented by war. This was also highlighted in the team’s recent preview, where the players shared how their hometowns have been impacted by Russia’s war.

More from the author’s weekly update in his Newsletter on several key developments.

Security Guarantees for Ukraine?

This week saw the USA and Ukraine sign a bilateral security agreement. You can read the whole text here. I’m not going to criticize this, because it’s better than nothing, but it also is a long way from an actual long-term “historic” security commitment from the USA that it is being portrayed as being.

A selection of what European newspapers are saying about the results of the G7 meeting this week in Berlin concerning Ukraine.

The G7 states have announced plans this week to use the interest on frozen Russian Central Bank assets in Western countries (currently around 260 billion euros) to help Ukraine. This would allow Kyiv to take out a loan of 50 billion euros to finance weapons purchases, investments and reconstruction. Russia has warned that the move will further undermine the global financial system. Most voices in the press, however, take a positive view of the move.

A demonstration of unity and resolve

President Volodymyr Zelensky said he would present Moscow with a proposal for ending the war once the international community had agreed it.

French President Emmanuel Macron said at an international summit for peace in Ukraine on Saturday that a sustainable end to the war with Russia cannot involve Kyiv’s “capitulation.”

“All of us are committed to building a sustainable peace... Such a peace cannot be a Ukrainian capitulation,” Macron said at the gathering of world leaders in Switzerland.

Karol Kubica, Executive Director of Foreign Trade Office of the Polish Investment and Trade Agency talks to Kyiv Post about Poland’s investments in Ukraine.

During the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin, Kyiv Post's Special Correspondent Michael Kujawskia asked Karol Kubica, Executive Director of the Foreign Trade Office in Kyiv of the PAIH (Polish Investment and Trade Agency) about Polish investments and plans related to the reconstruction of Ukraine

Michal Kujawski : The Kyiv office of the Polish Trade and Investment Agency (PAIH) resumed its operations about a year ago. What does the office do on a daily basis, and what does it focus on?

US policy with respect to Ukraine seems to be split between those who want to help, yet don’t have authority, and those with authority to help, yet are afraid.

President Joe Biden, the Pentagon and Foggy Bottom have not been on the same sheet of music over the last couple of months when it comes to Ukraine. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken appears to be out of step with the White House and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, while the Pentagon appears to be in a follow and support mode.

There may be a crack in the National Security Council armor. With Ukraine’s inability to defend itself from Russian forces in a US-afforded sanctuary apparent to all and debate growing over its inclusion into the NATO Alliance, the crack is widening.

Putin’s alternative anti-democratic “alliance” is fading and the West is looking at seizing Russia’s frozen financial assets.

The 80th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy marked a shift in the world order.

Russia was snubbed and Putin labeled “a tyrant.” Ukraine was front and center, and America and France, the birthplaces of modern democracy, enhanced their bilateral alliance and embarked on a flurry of meetings with European and other world leaders in order to bury Moscow.

Faced with choosing between fighting in Ukraine or prison, hundreds of Russian deserters and draft dodgers have fled to neighboring ex-Soviet countries, where they are now stuck in limbo.

Russian officer Farkhad Ziganshin had prepared himself for a life of military service since a young age. He could never have imagined that one day he would become a deserter and flee the country.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine changed everything.

Sidebar Stories – In the vein of “literature is news that stays news,” Kyiv Post presents some not necessarily factual narratives that offer added insight into Ukraine’s realities.

I’d been wanting to see the movie since shortly after the war broke out, when I first heard about it. A film about the Executed Renaissance was a stark reminder of what we could expect from any accommodations with the enemy.

I found a date through my Bumble app. She was a good match for me: Lynn, American, 29, a trained lawyer working for an NGO, taking a detour on her career path to do some good. She’d studied Russian and was working on her Ukrainian. For her, I was a local Ukrainian with good enough English to point out the nuances and contradictions all around. And I’m a philosophy professor. In her profile she lists philosophy as one of her interests.