U.S. Particular Consultant Keith Kellogg has pushed again towards Russian claims that Ukraine and the USA are accountable for delaying peace negotiations, arguing that it’s Moscow that continues to impede efforts to finish the battle it initiated.
"Peskov’s latest feedback on the state of negotiations are Orwellian. Russian claims that it’s the US and Ukraine stalling peace talks are unfounded. President Trump has been constant and adamant about making progress to finish the battle. We urge an instantaneous ceasefire and a transfer to trilateral talks to finish the battle. Russia can not proceed to stall for time whereas it bombs civilian targets in Ukraine," Kellogg stated on X.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov on June 29 accused Washington and Kyiv of holding up progress, stating that future developments in peace talks rely upon Ukraine’s stance, the effectiveness of U.S. mediation, and the state of affairs on the battlefield.
“Lots relies upon, naturally, on the place of the Kyiv regime,” Peskov stated in a televised interview with Belarus 1 TV, in keeping with Reuters. “It is dependent upon how successfully Washington's mediating efforts proceed,” he added.
Regardless of these remarks, Russia has rejected a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal and continued its assaults on Ukrainian cities launching file numbers of drones towards Ukrainian cities. Earlier this month, Russian President Vladimir Putin overtly said that “all of Ukraine is ours,” elevating additional doubts in regards to the Kremlin’s willingness to interact in significant negotiations.
Peskov’s interview aired because the battle strikes into its fourth summer time with no complete ceasefire in place. Though two rounds of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine came about in Istanbul this yr—on Could 16 and June 2—the discussions haven’t led to any breakthrough on ending hostilities.
Whereas the Istanbul conferences led to notable prisoner exchanges, they produced no tangible progress towards peace.
Assault on Zaporizhzhia: fireplace broke out within the metropolis<p>A hearth broke out in considered one of Zaporizhzhia's districts after a Russian assault; emergency companies are engaged on the scene. Data on doable casualties is at the moment being clarified.</p>
Ukrainian forces have stabilized the state of affairs in Sumy Oblast and pushed the Russian military additional away from Sumy, the area's capital, Ukraine's Normal Employees reported on June 30.
Moscow launched its new summer time marketing campaign in Might, aiming to push deeper into Ukraine's northeastern and japanese areas and disregarding Kyiv's requires an unconditional ceasefire.
Ukrainian troops superior close to the village of Oleksiivka, positioned lower than 30 kilometers (18 miles) from the town of Sumy, and liberated the village of Andriivka, which had been captured by Russia in early June, the assertion learn.
Within the meantime, Ukraine additionally stopped the Russian advance alongside the Yunakivka-Yablunivka-Novomykolayivka-Oleksiivka-Kindrativka line and the border with Russia close to Kursk Oblast, in accordance with the Normal Employees.
A map of Ukraine's Sumy Oblast (Nizar al-Rifal/The Kyiv Impartial)
Russia has deployed its finest brigades on this part of the entrance line and is utilizing long-range artillery, plane, and assault drones, the Normal Employees mentioned.
President Volodymyr Zelensky additionally mentioned on June 30 that Ukrainian troops had halted the Russian offensive in Sumy Oblast.
"The Russian plan for an offensive in Sumy Oblast is just not succeeding — thanks to each Ukrainian unit working within the space," Zelensky mentioned after a gathering with the navy management and Protection Minister Rustem Umerov.
The Russian offensive's objective is to succeed in the executive borders of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts within the east and create a buffer zone within the border areas of Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi informed journalists on June 21.
Russian forces are additionally making an attempt to totally oust Ukrainian troops from Russia's Kursk and Belgorod oblasts.
Ukraine launched a cross-border offensive into Kursk Oblast — bordering Ukraine's Sumy Oblast — final August, initially seizing 1,300 sq. kilometers (500 sq. miles) however shedding the overwhelming majority of this territory in a Russian counteroffensive earlier this yr.
Moscow initially declared that it had absolutely liberated the area on April 26, however this declare was rejected by Ukraine and later disputed by Russian officers themselves.
Three youngsters rescued from Russian occupation – Yermak<p>As a part of the Convey Youngsters Again UA initiative, three youngsters who refused to attend Russian colleges had been returned from the briefly occupied territories. The rescued kids are already within the territory managed by Ukraine, the place they’re receiving help and plan to enroll in Ukrainian universities.</p>
Russian troops have taken over the positioning of one in all Ukraine’s Most worthy lithium deposits close to the village of Shevchenko, Donetsk Oblast, as Russia ramps up its summer time offensive.
Whereas Ukrainian troops management territories close to the positioning, the deposit is now below Russian occupation, Roman Pohorilyi, founding father of open-source mapping mission Deep State Map, instructed the Kyiv Unbiased.
Ukraine's navy stated its forces are persevering with to struggle across the village, with Ukrainian forces on the western outskirts and Russian forces on the japanese aspect, Viktor Trehubov, the spokesperson for Ukraine's Khortytsia group of forces, instructed the Kyiv Unbiased. The untapped 40-acre plot lies lower than two kilometers east of the village. “There are lively hostilities. They’re ongoing throughout your complete part, throughout all the Novopavlivka (entrance),” Trehubov stated.
Lithium, utilized in electrical car batteries, is without doubt one of the key vital uncooked supplies highlighted by the U.S. within the settlement that was signed on April 30.
The reported Russian takeover of the deposits comes simply two months after Ukraine signed a landmark vital minerals settlement with the U.S. to draw funding to the war-torn nation, significantly to its strategic assets, together with its untapped lithium reserves.
However regardless of Ukraine's obvious lack of the deposit, it’s unlikely to have an effect on the settlement, Serhii Fursa, deputy managing director at funding agency Dragon Capital, instructed the Kyiv Unbiased. “It was apparent that it was below large threat of occupation and no one assumed it could be a great asset for any type of deal,” Fursa stated.
View of the Zavalivskyi graphite quarry in Zavallia, Kirovohrad Oblast, Ukraine, on Feb.28, 2025. The plant produces about 10 sorts of graphite for purposes starting from brake pads to lithium-ion batteries. (Arsen Dzodzaiev / International Photos Ukraine by way of Getty Photos)
The Kyiv Unbiased reached out to Ukraine's Ecology Ministry to substantiate the positioning had been taken, however the ministry didn’t return the request for remark by the point of publication. The Financial system Ministry additionally didn’t reply to a request for touch upon the financial fallout of shedding the deposits.
Ukraine now has solely two out of 4 lithium deposits left, each in central Ukraine. Russian forces occupied the Kruta Balka deposit in Zaporizhzhia Oblast within the first 12 months of the full-scale invasion. Lithium, utilized in electrical car batteries, is without doubt one of the key vital uncooked supplies highlighted by the U.S. within the settlement that was signed on April 30. Kyiv initially wished Washington to vow safety ensures as a part of the deal, however after protracted negotiations that threatened to tarnish U.S.-Ukraine relations, ensures weren’t included. Kyiv is planning to open up the massive Dobra lithium subject in central Ukraine, containing between 80-105 million metric tons of lithium ore, to personal traders, marking the primary mission below the settlement. The Shevchenko deposit is smaller, with an estimated quantity of 11 to 14 million tons of ore, based on the mining firm European Lithium, which beforehand held the license to mine the deposit. The ore is exclusive in Ukraine because it accommodates 90% spodumene, a mineral wealthy in lithium, making it simple to extract.
European Lithium by no means mined the Shevchenko deposit and in 2023 stated it not laid declare to it, citing its proximity to the entrance line.
Initially, Russia claimed to have captured Shevchenko as clashes intensified within the area amid Russia’s summer time offensive on June 26. The next day, the New York Occasions reported that the lithium deposit had been captured, though Khortytsia instructed the Kyiv Unbiased that Russian forces had not but captured the village.
Ukraine is without doubt one of the few European international locations to have excessive deposits of lithium and holds one-third of the European Union's reserves and roughly 3% of worldwide lithium reserves, based on the Kyiv Faculty of Economics.
Demand for lithium is rising, with Australia and China topping the listing of producers.
Normal Employees on the entrance line state of affairs: 111 fight engagements, Russia used over 1.2 thousand kamikaze drones<p>Because the starting of the day, 111 fight engagements have been recorded on the entrance. The occupiers used 1256 kamikaze drones and carried out 3754 shellings of positions. Quite a few assaults had been repelled in numerous instructions, most of them within the Pokrovsk route.</p>
Ukrainian forces push Russian military away from Sumy, Common Employees says
Ukrainian navy once more denies experiences on Russian troops coming into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast
After months of stalling, Russia blames Ukraine, US for gradual tempo of peace talks
Germany vows to pursue 'each path' to spice up Ukraine's air defenses, FM Wadephul says in Kyiv
Ukrainian forces have stabilized the scenario in Sumy Oblast and pushed the Russian military additional away from Sumy, the area's capital, Ukraine's Common Employees reported on June 30.
Moscow launched its new summer season marketing campaign in Could, aiming to push deeper into Ukraine's northeastern and japanese areas and disregarding Kyiv's requires an unconditional ceasefire.
Ukrainian troops superior close to the village of Oleksiivka, positioned lower than 30 kilometers (18 miles) from the town of Sumy, and liberated the village of Andriivka, which had been captured by Russia in early June, the assertion learn.
A map of Ukraine's Sumy Oblast (Nizar al-Rifal/The Kyiv Unbiased)
Within the meantime, Ukraine additionally stopped the Russian advance alongside the Yunakivka-Yablunivka-Novomykolayivka-Oleksiivka-Kindrativka line and the border with Russia close to Kursk Oblast, based on the Common Employees.
Russia has deployed its greatest brigades on this part of the entrance line and is utilizing long-range artillery, plane, and assault drones, the Common Employees mentioned.
President Volodymyr Zelensky additionally mentioned on June 30 that Ukrainian troops had halted the Russian offensive in Sumy Oblast.
"The Russian plan for an offensive in Sumy Oblast just isn’t succeeding — thanks to each Ukrainian unit working within the space," Zelensky mentioned after a gathering with the navy management and Protection Minister Rustem Umerov.
Ukrainian navy once more denies experiences on Russian troops coming into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast
The Ukrainian navy on June 30 denied the newest experiences that Russian troops had entered Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.
Since June 29, the Ukrainian battlefield monitoring group DeepState has marked a "grey" zone in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, figuring out potential combating on this part of the entrance line. Close to the village of Dachne in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, the zone extends virtually a kilometer into the area.
In the meantime, Kremlin propagandists claimed on Telegram that Russian troops had captured Dachne.
The estimated Russian advance in Donetsk Oblast as of June 29, 2025. (DeepState/OpenStreet Map)
The experiences have been denied by spokespeople of two Ukrainian brigades and the Khortytsia group of forces on June 30, Suspilne reported.
"There are very lively battles within the villages positioned close to the executive border of the area," Viktor Tregubov, spokesperson for Ukraine's Khortytsia group of forces, instructed Suspilne, including that Ukraine is holding the protection line close to the villages of Yalta, Komar, and Shevchenkove.
Tregubov added that Russian troops had not entered Dnipropetrovsk Oblast as of midday on June 30.
The press service of the third brigade of the Nationwide Guard, stationed within the close by Pokrovsk sector of the entrance line, additionally denied the details about the breakthrough.
Nazar Voitenkov, spokesperson for the thirty third Separate Mechanized Brigade, primarily based in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, additionally mentioned that the Russian military had made no advances into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.
"We’re holding the protection line. The road is consistently altering, however the enemy has not damaged by means of," Voitenkov mentioned.
Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraine's counter-disinformation middle, mentioned on Telegram that combating is going down close to the area's administrative border, and Russian FPV (first-person-view) drones are additionally flying into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast,
However regardless of the heavy battles, there is no such thing as a breakthrough, he added.
After months of stalling, Russia blames Ukraine, US for gradual tempo of peace talks
After months of diplomatic stalling, the Kremlin on June 29 blamed Kyiv and Washington for the dearth of progress in peace talks, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov saying the tempo of negotiations hinges on Ukraine's place, the effectiveness of U.S. mediation, and battlefield developments.
"So much relies upon, naturally, on the place of the Kyiv regime," Peskov instructed Belarus 1 TV, in feedback reported by Reuters, including: "It is dependent upon how successfully Washington's mediating efforts proceed."
Russia has repeatedly refused to a U.S.-proposed ceasefire settlement, has escalated assaults on Ukrainian civilians, and Russian President Vladimir Putin declared earlier this month that "all of Ukraine is ours."
Peskov made the remarks in a televised interview, because the full-scale warfare enters its fourth summer season with no complete ceasefire in sight, and two largely inconclusive rounds of peace talks.
Russia and Ukraine have held two rounds of face-to-face talks in Istanbul this yr, first on Could 16 and once more on June 2, following greater than three years with out direct negotiations. The conferences resulted in important prisoner exchanges, however no important steps towards a ceasefire.
In the course of the June 2 assembly, each side offered proposals for ending the warfare, however Putin later describedthem as "completely reverse" memorandums.
Ukraine's delegation, led by Protection Minister Rustem Umerov, demanded an unconditional 30-day ceasefire, a place supported by Western companions, whereas Russia insisted on a 2–3-day restricted truce to get well the our bodies of fallen troopers.
"Russia rejects even the very thought of stopping the killings," Umerov mentioned after the talks. "That's why we attraction to the world: stress is required for actual peace, not for an imitation of negotiations."
Regardless of the impasse, Russia mentioned it’s open to a 3rd spherical of negotiations. "Normally, we’re prepared for this," Putin instructed reporters on June 27, suggesting Istanbul might once more function the venue.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed Ankara's willingness to host, and mentioned efforts are underway to rearrange a direct assembly between Putin and President Volodymyr Zelensky — presumably with U.S. President Donald Trump becoming a member of the talks.
Zelensky has expressed help for a trilateral format and mentioned the concept in the course of the latest NATO summit in Brussels, the place he and Trump additionally spoke about enhanced U.S. navy help and co-production of air protection techniques and drones.
Thus far, Trump has not imposed the extra sanctions on Russia he promised if peace efforts failed. "If the Istanbul assembly brings nothing, that clearly means sturdy new sanctions are urgently wanted," Zelensky mentioned on June 2.
Whereas the Kremlin continues to reject a broad ceasefire, its forces are advancing in Ukraine's southeast, gaining territory in Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts, and intensifying missile and drone strikes on civilians.
No date has been set for the subsequent spherical of talks.
German minister vows to pursue 'each path' to spice up Ukraine's air defenses
German Overseas Minister Johann Wadephul pledged on June 30 that Berlin is exploring "each doable path" to supply Ukraine with further air protection techniques, amid intensifying Russian missile and drone assaults, based on RBK-Ukraine.
Talking at a press convention throughout his go to to Kyiv, Wadephul mentioned Germany is working with its protection business, European allies, and the U.S. to urgently safe extra techniques for Ukraine's air protect.
"We’re happening each path obtainable," Wadephul mentioned. "The German protection business is attempting to develop its capability. We're talking with our European companions, and I consider we should additionally transfer ahead with america."
He added that he stays in shut contact with German Protection Minister Boris Pistorius to evaluate whether or not current techniques from Germany's personal stockpiles will be redirected to Ukraine.
Wadephul's go to got here only a day after Russia launched its largest aerial assault on Ukraine so far, firing 477 drones and 60 missiles in a 24-hour interval. In a video message posted on social media earlier on June 30, the German minister described Ukraine as "a rustic as soon as once more haunted by warfare," and reaffirmed Germany's solidarity.
"Germany stands by Ukraine," Wadephul mentioned. "We should not permit freedom to be misplaced right here. We now have to help this nation and make sure that a ceasefire is lastly achieved. (Russian President Vladimir) Putin should understand he can not proceed this warfare and should negotiate a peace answer."
Ukrainian Overseas Minister Andrii Sybiha welcomed Wadephul's go to in a submit on X, saying the 2 mentioned the best way to counter Russian aggression and deepen bilateral ties.
Sybiha mentioned in addition they spoke about Germany's position in Ukraine's growth of long-range capabilities and drones, calling it "win-win cooperation"— in addition to Berlin's help for the 18th EU sanctions bundle and Ukraine's path to EU membership.
"I’m grateful to Minister Wadephul for his ethical readability and private contribution to Ukraine's resilience," Sybiha added.
Wadephul is anticipated to satisfy with President Volodymyr Zelensky later throughout his go to.
The German overseas minister emphasised that witnessing the destruction firsthand is crucial to understanding Ukraine's struggling and the urgency of sustained worldwide help.
"That is certainly a troublesome scenario," Wadephul mentioned. "And that’s the reason German solidarity is so vital proper now."
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North Korea confirmed footage of Kim Jong Un saying goodbye to troopers who died within the struggle in opposition to Ukraine<p>North Korean Central Tv confirmed footage of Kim Jong Un mourning North Korean troopers who died in Russia's struggle in opposition to Ukraine within the Kursk area. On the repatriation ceremony, Kim positioned the flag over the coffin, and pictures had been proven at a joint cultural occasion of North Korea and Russia in Pyongyang.</p>
The Ukrainian army on June 30 denied the most recent stories that Russian troops had entered Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.
Since June 29, the Ukrainian battlefield monitoring group DeepState has marked a "grey" zone in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, figuring out potential combating on this part of the entrance line. Close to the village of Dachne in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, the zone extends virtually a kilometer into the area.
In the meantime, Kremlin propagandists claimed on Telegram that Russian troops had captured Dachne.
The stories have been denied by spokespeople of two Ukrainian brigades and the Khortytsia group of forces on June 30, Suspilne reported.
The estimated Russian advance in Donetsk Oblast as of June 29, 2025. (DeepState/OpenStreet Map)
"There are very energetic battles within the villages positioned close to the executive border of the area," Viktor Tregubov, spokesperson for Ukraine's Khortytsia group of forces, instructed Suspilne, including that Ukraine is holding the protection line close to the villages of Yalta, Komar, and Shevchenkove.
Tregubov added that Russian troops had not entered Dnipropetrovsk Oblast as of midday on June 30.
The press service of the third brigade of the Nationwide Guard, stationed within the close by Pokrovsk sector of the entrance line, additionally denied the details about the breakthrough.
Nazar Voitenkov, spokesperson for the thirty third Separate Mechanized Brigade, primarily based in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, additionally mentioned that the Russian military had made no advances into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.
"We’re holding the protection line. The road is consistently altering, however the enemy has not damaged by," Voitenkov mentioned.
Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraine's counter-disinformation heart, mentioned on Telegram that combating is going down close to the area's administrative border, and Russian FPV (first-person-view) drones are additionally flying into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast,
However regardless of the heavy battles, there isn’t any breakthrough, he added.
The statements come as Russian troops proceed their offensive in Donetsk Oblast, pushing nearer to Dnipropetrovsk Oblast — a significant industrial area in central Ukraine.
In mid-June, Ukraine's army additionally denied stories that Russian troops had entered the area, with President Volodymyr Zelensky saying that Ukrainian troops had intercepted Russian reconnaissance models making an attempt to breach Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.
State of affairs in Sumy area and Pokrovsk path: Zelenskyy held an in depth assembly with navy and Umerov<p>President Zelenskyy held a gathering with the navy and the Minister of Protection. Key entrance points have been mentioned, together with the Pokrovsk path and the Sumy area, the place the Russian offensive will not be being realized. Energetic operations proceed throughout the Kursk operation.</p>
The Kyiv IndependentYuliia Taradiuk
The Kyiv IndependentKollen Post
