Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced his intention to postpone the vote on the 18th package of EU sanctions against Russia. Slovakia seeks an exemption that would allow it to fulfill its contract with Gazprom until 2034, rejecting the EC's proposal to stop Russian gas supplies from 2028.
The European Commission is working with Slovakia to address its concerns about the EU's plan to phase out Russian gas imports by 2028. Bratislava is blocking a sanctions package, fearing shortages and rising prices.
Since the beginning of the day, 110 combat engagements have taken place, with the enemy actively operating in the Pokrovsk and Novopavlivka directions. The Defense Forces repelled 28 attacks in the Pokrovsk direction and 14 in the Novopavlivka direction.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the law on multiple citizenship, the ratification of the agreement on the establishment of a Special Tribunal regarding Russia's crime of aggression, and the suspension of the Ottawa Convention for Ukraine. These decisions are aimed at strengthening the unity of Ukrainians, punishing Russia, and ensuring parity in defense.
The advisor to the Office of the President of Ukraine stated that the Russian dictator seeks murder and destruction, therefore military coercion is the only way to return the world to normalcy.
European NATO allies and Canada will take on the main role in financing American weapons for Ukraine. This will include air defense systems, ammunition, and other equipment.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping pledged to strengthen support for Russia in multilateral forums after meeting with the Russian Foreign Minister. This happened after US threats to impose tariffs on Moscow's trading partners.
Yarema Zhuhayevych, Head of the Aviation Industry Workers' Union, emphasized the importance of preserving human potential and state defense orders for Ukraine's aviation industry. The industry modernizes equipment, develops drones, and supports combat aviation, creating 8-12 jobs in related sectors.
The Kremlin considers US President Donald Trump's statements about sanctions against Russia "very serious. " Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov stated that Moscow is ready to negotiate with Kyiv, but will continue the "special military operation" if there is no response.
Three commanders of Russian army units have been notified of suspicion in the shelling of a civilian gathering in Chernihiv on March 16, 2022. At that time, 20 people died and 28 more were injured.
The US administration combines pressure and diplomacy to force Putin into negotiations and end the war, setting a new 50-day deadline. Serhiy Leshchenko, advisor to the Office of the President, expressed surprise at the length of the term, as it should be shortening, not lengthening.
The Security Service of Ukraine detained six FSB agents who planned terrorist attacks against servicemen in Kyiv, Vinnytsia, Dnipro, and Rivne. The perpetrators were recruited through Telegram channels and used improvised explosive devices.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy awarded the rank of brigadier general to Yuriy Andrienko and Anton Harbuz. Mykhailo Sydorenko received the rank of major general.
Donald Trump, in a private conversation with Volodymyr Zelenskyy on July 4, asked if the Ukrainian Armed Forces could strike Moscow and St. Petersburg if the US provided appropriate weapons. Zelenskyy answered in the affirmative, and Trump supported the idea to force Russia into negotiations.
The Russian company ASF-Innovations presented a new drone "Kinzhal" at the "Innoprom-2025" exhibition in Yekaterinburg. This drone is designed to destroy enemy drones by ramming, has a speed of up to 300 km/h, and is equipped with a thermal imaging IR seeker.
The former head of one of the largest state reserve enterprises will be prosecuted for embezzling over UAH 13. 9 million. He transferred funds to fictitious enterprises for non-existent goods and services.
Law enforcement officers exposed 8 criminal groups that produced over 400 tons of counterfeit pesticides in 12 regions of Ukraine. The products were sold in Ukraine and the EU under the guise of international brands, and over 175 tons of counterfeit goods were seized.
The indictment against the organizers of drug trafficking to the Kyiv pre-trial detention center has been sent to court. The scheme, which brought in UAH 200,000 monthly, operated with the participation of detainees of the pre-trial detention center and accomplices at large, who ensured the purchase and transfer of drugs.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko discussed the security situation in frontline and border regions. Klymenko's report concerned the actions of the National Guard and the protection of logistics in the Donetsk direction.
The end of the duty-free trade agreement with the EU will cost Ukraine about 1 billion euros in losses. Denys Marchuk noted that the statements of some EU countries about the harm of Ukrainian agricultural products are often based on myths.
An air raid alert has been declared across Ukraine due to the take-off of two enemy MiG-31Ks from the "Savasleyka" airfield. The Kyiv City Military Administration urged residents of the capital to immediately proceed to shelters.
Food inflation in Ukraine reached 23%, significantly exceeding overall consumer inflation. This leads to an increase in prices for meat and bread, while dairy producers suffer losses due to falling purchase prices and reduced exports to the EU.
During a meeting of the EU Council, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha reported on Russian strikes and emphasized the need to strengthen Ukraine's airspace. He called for increased sanctions against Russia, increased investment in Ukraine's defense industry, and the advancement of its accession to the EU.
On July 16, temperatures in Ukraine are expected to range from +22 to +36 degrees, with local rain and thunderstorms in the western, central, and northern regions. In Kyiv, +27+30 degrees are forecast, with a possible thunderstorm in the evening.
President Zelenskyy held a meeting with Yulia Svyrydenko and Mykhailo Fedorov, discussing the first steps of the renewed government. The main tasks for the next six months include increasing weapons production, providing drones, deregulation, and implementing social programs.
President Zelenskyy reshuffled the government, proposing Yulia Svyrydenko for the position of Prime Minister and Denys Shmyhal as Minister of Defense. This occurred simultaneously with Trump's announcement of a new arms sales program to Ukraine.
The Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported the destruction of 178 out of 267 drones launched by Russia. 23 drones were recorded hitting seven locations.
The Verkhovna Rada ratified the agreement on the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. This tribunal is the first international judicial body since World War II that will investigate crimes of aggression.
China plans to purchase 140 million barrels of oil for its strategic reserves by the first quarter of 2026, as long as prices remain below $80 per barrel. This will ensure a high level of imports and soft commercial demand.
"Health Piggy Bank", "Affordable Pharmacy" and "Take Care of Your Health" — it was within these medical initiatives from the MHP-Hromadi Foundation that 1700 people in remote villages and towns were examined in six months. In places where doctors and pharmacies are often simply unavailable.
