NATO

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met King Charles at Windsor Castle ahead of the NATO summit. This is the third meeting between the leaders in 2025, a demonstration of support from the United Kingdom.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Great Britain, where he will meet with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, King Charles III, and the speakers of both houses of parliament. Discussions are focused on securing more air defense systems for Ukraine and strengthening sanctions against Russia.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has canceled his participation in the NATO summit in The Hague due to "various circumstances," including the unlikelihood of meetings in the Indo-Pacific Quad format and with US President Donald Trump. Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya will still attend the event.

On June 24-25, a NATO summit will be held in The Hague, where the main issues will be a new defense budget of 5% of GDP and the war in Ukraine. Spain has expressed reluctance to increase spending, and a meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Council is not planned.

Europe finds itself critically dependent on American tech giants such as Amazon, Microsoft, and Google, which control over two-thirds of the regional cloud computing market. This raises fears that the US administration could leverage its technological advantage, and even, at some point, disconnect Europe from vital cloud services that underpin its digital existence.

Newly elected Polish President Karol Nawrocki has faced doubts among Poles regarding his ability to maintain good relations with Ukraine, according to a UCE Research poll for Onet. Only 32.6% of respondents believe his presidency will have a positive impact on ties with Kyiv, while 40.3% hold the opposite opinion.

New Zealand has announced an aid package for Ukraine totaling 16 million New Zealand dollars, equivalent to over 9 million US dollars. These funds are intended for military and humanitarian aid, as well as to support Ukrainians displaced to neighboring countries.

Donald Trump plans to meet with leaders of Indo-Pacific countries during the NATO summit in the Netherlands to expand security cooperation. The meeting will discuss coordination of actions and defense spending, which NATO plans to increase to 3.5% of GDP, and with additional indicators to 5%.

More than half of Slovaks rejected the idea of the country's neutrality, despite Prime Minister Robert Fico's statement. An AKO poll showed that 50.6% of respondents oppose Slovakia's withdrawal from NATO.

On June 23, a number of important events are celebrated in Ukraine, including Midsummer's Eve, World Whistleblower Day, Typewriter Day, International Dravet Syndrome Awareness Day, International Olympic Day, and the Day of Holy Martyr Agrippina. These events encompass ancient traditions, modern social initiatives, significant inventions, and the honoring of historical figures.

Spain has agreed with NATO to be exempt from the requirement to spend 5% of GDP on defense, which Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called "disproportionate and unnecessary. " The country claims it can fulfill its obligations by spending 2.1% of GDP and had the lowest share of defense spending in the Alliance last year - 1.28% of GDP.

NATO commanders state the need to rethink naval defense due to growing threats from new technologies. Warships face a wide range of threats, including missiles and drones, which are actively developing in conflict zones.

European NATO allies are concerned about the rapid withdrawal of US troops from Europe amid escalating conflict in the Middle East. After the summit, allies will pledge to spend 5% of GDP on defense, then the US will present a military review.

A meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Council at the Alliance summit in The Hague is not planned. Donald Trump only expects an increase in defense spending from Alliance member countries.

President Zelenskyy instructed Ukrainian diplomacy to conduct a "month of pressure on Russia" to increase the cost of war and limit Russia's ability to produce means of terror. Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha emphasized that the diplomatic system is mobilizing efforts ahead of the EU and NATO summits, expecting determination from partners, particularly the US, regarding sanction pressure.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that his potential trip to the NATO summit is not exclusively tied to a meeting with Donald Trump. He noted that the decision on the trip will be made on the eve of the summit, although the likelihood of participation is high.

Donald Trump will demand that NATO member countries increase defense spending to 5% of GDP. Some countries, such as Spain, are already expressing disagreement with these demands, while others are trying to please Trump to maintain the Alliance's unity amid the war in Ukraine.

The Trump administration demands Asian allies, including South Korea, spend up to 5% of GDP on defense. This could lead to significant increases in defense budgets and disputes over their military presence.

Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, ahead of the NATO summit, expressed doubt about the feasibility of the continued existence of the North Atlantic Alliance, emphasizing the need to adapt to changed conditions. He believes that "times have changed" and called on NATO to cooperate with the Global South, and also noted the decreasing influence of the European Union.

The Latvian Saeima approved a statement in support of Ukraine's earliest invitation to NATO ahead of the summit in The Hague. Inviting Ukraine to the Alliance will be a significant signal of its clear path to membership.

The State Security Service of Latvia urges to refrain from traveling to the Russian Federation and Belarus due to high recruitment risks. Citizens who cannot avoid traveling are advised to use special security measures with electronic devices.

On June 20, 2025, 157 combat engagements took place at the front, the enemy carried out 3445 shellings and used 847 kamikaze drones. The most active battles took place in the Pokrovsky, Pivnichno-Slobozhansky, and Kursk directions.

Putin's statements from June 20 demonstrate complete disregard for the peace efforts of the US and the rest of the world, stated the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced new agreements with NATO partners concerning investments in the production of drones and artillery shells, as well as interceptor drones. Currently, Ukraine is working to increase production volumes.

Spain is blocking a new NATO agreement to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP, as demanded by Donald Trump. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez considers the commitment "unreasonable and counterproductive," which has angered other members of the Alliance.

The German military considers Russia to be an "existential threat" to the country and Europe, according to a new strategic document from the Bundeswehr. The document indicates that the Kremlin is preparing for a large-scale conflict with NATO by the end of the decade.

Estonia has begun building anti-tank trenches on the border with the Russian Federation as part of the Baltic Defense Line, investing 4. 4 million euros this year. By the end of the year, 28 bunkers and dozens of storage sites are planned to be built, despite the absence of an immediate military threat.

China has become a key supplier to the Kremlin's war machine, reflected in the use of Chinese components in Shahed drones and other weapons. This enables the aggressor to intensify shelling of Ukraine, despite Western sanctions and Beijing's public statements.

EU countries have agreed to increase the European Investment Bank's annual lending limit to €100 billion and triple financing for the defense industry. The bank also plans to invest €70 billion in technological innovation and renewable energy sources.

Putin continues to believe in a war of attrition, betting on gradual troop advances. His theory of victory involves endless advances and Ukraine's inability to counterattack.