Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski expressed optimism about the swift adoption of the 18th EU sanctions package against Russia. This will happen despite public opposition from Slovakia, which blocked it the day before.
The foreign ministers of Ukraine, Poland, and Lithuania met in Lublin, reaffirming their support for Ukraine on its path to the EU and NATO. They called for increased sanctions pressure on Russia and an immediate ceasefire.
Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak and US President's Special Representative Keith Kellogg discussed the deportation of Ukrainian children and the detention of civilians. Ukraine handed over a list of children to the Russian Federation and expects their return.
Hungary has initiated the inclusion of three Ukrainian military commanders in the EU sanctions list. This is related to the alleged violent death of a Hungarian in Zakarpattia due to the actions of the TCC.
The Ukrainian national volleyball team defeated the Netherlands with a score of 3:2, securing its place in the Nations League for the next season. This victory also allowed the team to continue fighting for a spot in the playoffs.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported 63 combat engagements over the past day, most of which occurred in the Pokrovsk and Lyman directions. The enemy also launched air strikes and shelled border settlements in Sumy Oblast.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Andriy Sybiha confirmed Ukraine's readiness for peace talks in any format and geographical zone. He refuted Russia's statements about delaying negotiations, calling them manipulation.
A man was detained in Dnipro who last year threatened terrorist attacks in schools in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. His activities were financed by Russians, and the detention took place with the participation of Ukrainian, Czech, and Slovak special services.
A Russian captain was sentenced to 12 years in prison for cruel treatment of civilians in Yahidne, Chernihiv region. He held 369 people, including 69 minors, as a "human shield" in a school basement, which led to the death of 10 people.
Another tornado has been recorded in Kherson Oblast, as reported by the head of the Kherson Oblast Military Administration, Oleksandr Prokudin. Meteorologists warn of a possible increase in such phenomena in Ukraine due to climate change.
President Zelenskyy and Deputy Prime Minister Svyrydenko will present a list of part of the government at a meeting of the "Servant of the People" faction. Not all personnel decisions may be voted on this week; a meeting is possible on Tuesday, July 22.
Andriy Demchenko, spokesman for the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine (SBGS), reported that on weekdays, 120-125 thousand people cross Ukraine's border, and on weekends, this figure increases to 140-150 thousand. The last weekend recorded a record 141 thousand on Saturday and almost 150 thousand on Sunday.
US President Donald Trump announced an agreement with NATO on arming Ukraine. Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, the Baltic states, the Netherlands, Canada, and Great Britain supported the initiative, while the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia refused.
The SBU detained two FSB agents who were preparing a missile strike on a saltpeter storage facility in one of Odesa region's seaports. One of the agents got a job as a handyman at the port to track cargo, and his accomplice helped with movement and setting fire to relay cabinets.
The Verkhovna Rada adopted a bill that increases the total number of SBU personnel by 10,000 people, allocating 10,000 to the Special Operations Center "A". The grounds and procedure for the use of weapons and special means by the SBU have also been established.
As of July 1, 2025, Ukrainian youth aged 18 purchased books worth over 91. 5 million hryvnias under the state program "eBook". Most of the funds were spent in online bookstores, and women predominate among the recipients of assistance.
A scheme to declare unfitness for service for money has been exposed in Dnipro. An official of the military medical commission (VLC) and a local resident have been notified of suspicion, and about 70,000 US dollars have been seized.
The Verkhovna Rada supported the resignation of Denys Shmyhal from the post of Prime Minister of Ukraine. President Zelenskyy offered the position of Prime Minister to Yulia Svyrydenko.
US President's Special Representative Keith Kellogg visited the memorial to fallen Ukrainian children in Kyiv. He emphasized the need to stop the killing of civilians, especially children.
On July 16, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted in the first reading three draft laws on the creation of a special legal regime for Defence City. The documents provide for tax benefits for residents until 2036, but the aircraft manufacturing industry does not fall under the criteria.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Joe Biden failed to stop Russia's war against Ukraine, but expressed confidence that his successor Donald Trump would be able to do so. Zelenskyy also believes that Trump understands Putin's lies and that a show of force will compel Russia to negotiate.
The mayor of the Latvian city of Ogre, Egils Helmanis, was wounded in Ukraine as a result of Russian shelling. He was on a business trip delivering aid to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and his condition is currently stable.
President Zelenskyy stated that a demonstration of force would compel the Russian dictator to sit down at the negotiating table, possibly without its direct application. He emphasized that Russians only understand force, which is why Ukraine needs strong sanctions and weapons.
President Zelenskyy stated that the absence of shelling during the visit of Trump's special envoy, Keith Kellogg, indicates the Kremlin's fear of the American president. Kellogg arrived in Ukraine on July 14, 2025, to discuss defense and security issues.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted a draft law on industrial pollution control, to which an amendment on export duties for soybeans was added. This decision caused a scandal and a verbal altercation between people's deputies due to an attempt to introduce a 10% duty on the export of soybeans and rapeseed.
Ukrainian company Frontline and German-Ukrainian drone manufacturer Quantum Systems have concluded a strategic agreement. The partnership envisages scaling up production in Ukraine and integration into the European defense industry.
Honcharenko called out Hetmantsev during the Rada's consideration of the issue of introducing duties on soybean and rapeseed exports.
A 26-year-old resident of Chernivtsi region tried to import a batch of elite goods worth over 6 million hryvnias from Romania through the Porubne – Siret checkpoint. The man chose the "green corridor", but undeclared branded items were found during the inspection.
On July 17, hot weather up to +36 degrees is expected in Ukraine, with short-term rains in some places. On July 18, the temperature will drop to +20-26 degrees, and heavy rains will cover the west, north, Vinnytsia, and Cherkasy regions.
Russian drones attacked the Barlinek Group plant in Vinnytsia, causing injuries, including two people with severe burns. Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski commented on the incident, noting that the attack was deliberate.
