Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov proposed to the Russian side to hold the next meeting as early as next week. President Zelenskyy emphasized the need to increase negotiation dynamics to achieve a ceasefire.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has approved the new personal composition of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine. The changes occurred after personnel reshuffles in the government.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed decrees on the posthumous awarding of the title of Hero of Ukraine to Junior Sergeant Vitaliy Karvatskyi and Soldier Oleh Yarovyi. The servicemen were awarded the "Golden Star" order for exceptional courage and heroism.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree awarding the Order of Liberty to Tyhran Ohannisyan and Mykyta Khanganov. They were killed by Russian occupiers on June 24, 2023, in temporarily occupied Berdiansk.
President Zelenskyy received a report from Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Andriy Sybiha on new sanctions against Russia and agreements with the USA. The situation at the Russia-Georgia border regarding Ukrainian citizens and the appointment of new ambassadors were also discussed.
Ukraine has brought back 11 children aged 10 to 17 from temporarily occupied territories and Russia. Among them are five biological siblings who were taken to Russia and pressured by Russian guardianship authorities.
President Zelenskyy reported on Russia's night attack with over 300 drones and 30 missiles on Ukraine. 10 regions were affected, there is one dead and injured, infrastructure was damaged.
On July 18, the Russian army lost 1120 servicemen, 46 artillery systems, and 7 armored combat vehicles. The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 19.07.25 amount to over a million personnel.
In Kherson, two men, aged 28 and 34, were injured as a result of a Russian drone attack on a private house. They were hospitalized with blast and craniocerebral injuries; one was diagnosed with a shrapnel wound to the shin.
The analytical project DeepState reported on the occupation of Yablunivka in Sumy region and the advance of Russian troops near Yunakivka, Khatne, Romanivka and Toretsk.
On July 18, 138 combat engagements took place on the Russian-Ukrainian front. Russian invaders launched 61 air strikes, used 1221 kamikaze drones, and carried out 3949 shellings.
The ambassadors of the Group of Seven countries welcomed the new Ukrainian government led by Yulia Svyrydenko and called for continued reforms. Yulia Svyrydenko, appointed Prime Minister, outlined priorities: ensuring the army, increasing production, and optimizing the state apparatus.
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi reported to President Zelenskyy on the operational situation at the front. An enemy sabotage and reconnaissance group was detected and destroyed by Ukrainian defenders while attempting to break through to Pokrovsk.
President Zelenskyy reported on the difficult situation in Sumy and Kharkiv regions, as well as on Russian attacks in Kherson and Mykolaiv regions. Means for destroying the occupier and long-range strikes were discussed.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy heard the report of Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi regarding the situation at the front. The greatest efforts of the occupiers are concentrated in the Donetsk region, especially in the Pokrovsk direction. Ukrainian forces are destroying Russian sabotage groups that are trying to advance into Ukrainian cities and villages.
The presidents of Turkey and Russia discussed the war in Ukraine and the situation in Syria. Erdogan confirmed Turkey's readiness to host a third round of peace talks in Istanbul.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal is preparing a specific work program for the Ministry and key priorities. These will be implemented in the short and medium term.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy heard a report from Minister of Defense Denys Shmyhal and instructed to urgently conclude contracts for drones, including interceptors. They also discussed ensuring diplomatic strikes and the frequency of strikes.
Donald Trump stated that Ukraine should go on the offensive to change the situation on the battlefield. Volodymyr Zelenskyy replied that this is possible with the availability of "the right weapons."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed military aid and energy resilience with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. The parties reached concrete agreements on preparing for the upcoming winter and accelerating sanctions pressure on Russia.
The Presidents of Ukraine and France discussed Ukraine's defense needs, strengthening air defense, and training pilots for Mirages. France confirmed its readiness to accept additional pilots for training and is working on joint solutions for protection against Russian strikes.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy instructed the newly appointed Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) Rustem Umerov to intensify negotiations, ensure the implementation of agreements on weapons, and strengthen the technological Staff. Umerov confirmed the work priorities, including coordination of the security sector, arms supplies, and technological modernization.
President Zelenskyy announced the preparation of the synchronization of European sanctions and new decisions regarding sanctions in Ukraine. This is a response to the 18th EU sanctions package, which increases pressure on the Russian tanker fleet and limits the price of oil.
On July 18, 2025, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed Decree No. 496/2025. The document appointed Rustem Umerov as Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine.
TIME magazine dedicated its cover to Ukrainian children illegally taken to Russia, highlighting fears about their return. President Zelenskyy called on partners to help bring back thousands of abducted children.
A meeting of the Verkhovna Rada will take place in July to deepen cooperation with the USA, which will concern pressure on the Russian Federation. President Zelenskyy is discussing a defense agreement with Donald Trump, which provides for the purchase of Ukrainian drones by the USA and American weapons by Kyiv.
President Zelenskyy stated that Donald Trump realized Putin's lies about his intentions to end the war. This became a disappointment for Trump, who now sees that everything was the opposite.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is discussing a breakthrough defense deal with Donald Trump. The US could acquire Ukrainian drones, tested in war, in exchange for Kyiv's purchase of American weapons.
In the updated government led by Yulia Svyrydenko, most ministers retained their positions, some swapped chairs. Denys Shmyhal headed the Ministry of Defense, Herman Halushchenko — the Ministry of Justice, and Svitlana Hrynchuk — the Ministry of Energy.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the continuation of government reshuffling. After today's changes, a security sector update is expected on Friday, and a renewal of the Ukrainian diplomatic corps on Monday.
