Media: NATO leaders pledge to assist Ukraine in ultimate summit assertion<p>NATO leaders in The Hague pledge to assist Ukraine within the ultimate summit assertion, which features a line on continued assist for Ukraine, in addition to a line on "the long-term menace that Russia poses to Euro-Atlantic safety."</p>
U.S. President Donald Trump has mentioned President Volodymyr Zelensky is a "good man" forward of a gathering at NATO summit in The Hague on June 25, saying they are going to be "discussing his difficulties."
The White Home confirmed the assembly on June 24 however didn’t launch additional particulars. In response to a diplomatic supply cited by AFP, the talks between Zelensky and Trump have been scheduled for early afternoon, with each side finalizing the agenda.
The 2 leaders are anticipated to debate Ukraine's deliberate buy of a brand new protection bundle, together with air protection techniques, in addition to extra sanctions on Russia and a global worth cap on Russian oil.
Talking at a press briefing at The Hague on June 25, Trump was requested by a reporter what he could be discussing in the course of the assembly with Zelensky.
"Clearly we'll be discussing his difficulties, he's received somewhat problem," Trump replied.
"Zelensky is a pleasant man, I'm going to fulfill him at the moment. I don't know, I assume we're going to be discussing Ukraine. It appears the more than likely," he added.
Trump didn’t elaborate on what he meant by "difficulties" however the NATO summit comes at a time when U.S. assist for Kyiv is waning, and only a week after Russian President Vladimir Putin declared "all of Ukraine is ours."
This would be the first assembly between Zelensky and Trump since April, after they spoke briefly on the sidelines of Pope Francis' funeral in Rome.
A deliberate dialogue on the G7 summit earlier this month fell by after each leaders left the occasion early, Trump because of escalating tensions within the Center East, and Zelensky in response to drone and missile assault on Kyiv.
Upon arriving in The Hague on Monday, Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian presidential workplace, mentioned he held "substantive" talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to arrange for the Zelensky-Trump assembly, together with its construction and key subjects.
Zelensky can also be scheduled to fulfill with NATO Secretary-Common Mark Rutte and European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen in the course of the summit.
In a current interview with Sky Information, Zelensky expressed uncertainty about Trump's ties to Putin however mentioned he believes Trump understands that Ukraine is a U.S. ally and that "the actual existential enemy of America is Russia."
From Russia after the occupation: a 17-year-old Ukrainian has been returned to Kyiv<p>A seventeen-year-old boy has been returned to Ukraine as a part of the "Carry Children Again UA" initiative after a protracted keep within the occupation and compelled departure to Russia. {The teenager}, who was left alone throughout the conflict, has already reunited along with his household.</p>
Russian assaults throughout Ukraine killed not less than 23 folks and injured greater than 300 others over the previous 24 hours, native officers mentioned on June 25.
Based on the Ukrainian Air Pressure, Russian forces launched 71 Shahed-type assault drones and decoys from a number of instructions, together with Bryansk, Millerovo, Kursk, and occupied Crimea. Ukraine's air defenses destroyed 52 of them.
In Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, a ballistic missile assault killed not less than 20 folks, 18 in Dnipro and two within the Samarskyi district, in one of many deadliest single assaults in latest weeks, governor Serhii Lysak mentioned.
Practically 300 folks had been injured, and intensive harm was reported to high-rise buildings, homes, dormitories, vehicles, colleges, hospitals, administrative workplaces, and a passenger practice. Drone strikes in a single day additionally hit Nikopol and induced a fireplace in Synelnykove district.
In Kharkiv Oblast, 9 folks had been injured in strikes on Kharkiv metropolis, Kupiansk, and surrounding villages, in accordance with Governor Oleh Syniehubov. Russian forces used a mixture of weaponry, together with air-launched rockets, glide bombs, and numerous drones. Civilian infrastructure was broken, together with residential buildings, homes, and an industrial hangar.
In Zaporizhzhia Oblast, 5 peope had been injured in assaults throughout the Zaporizhzhia, Vasylivka, and Polohy districts, Governor Ivan Fedorov reported. Russian forces carried out 4 missile strikes on Zaporizhzhia and eight airstrikes on a number of cities. Round 300 drones, and over 150 artillery strikes had been recorded throughout 13 settlements.
In Donetsk Oblast, three civilians had been killed in Pokrovsk, Zoloti Prudy, and Novoiavlenka, Governor Vadym Filashkin mentioned. 11 extra had been wounded within the area over the previous day.
19-year-old Russian agent was detained in Kharkiv for a terrorist assault in opposition to the army with the explosion of a scooter<p>In response to the SBU, a 19-year-old Kharkiv resident, recruited by the enemy, handed over a booby-trapped scooter to the Armed Forces of Ukraine underneath the guise of volunteer support, which exploded close to a restaurant. The lady has been detained and faces life imprisonment. </p>
For years, foreigners in search of a Ukrainian passport confronted a tricky selection: resign their authentic citizenship or hand over on turning into Ukrainian. Now, that barrier will doubtless be eliminated, as Ukraine prepares to permit twin citizenship for the primary time.
Since taking workplace in 2019, President Volodymyr Zelensky has declared his intention to permit twin citizenship in Ukraine. “To all who’re able to construct a brand new, robust and profitable Ukraine, I’ll gladly grant Ukrainian citizenship,” he mentioned in his inaugural tackle in 2019.
5 years later, in January 2024, Zelensky lastly launched a invoice that may enable twin citizenship “for all who want to really feel that being in Ukraine means being residence.”
The method moved ahead on June 18, when the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine’s parliament, voted to raise the longstanding ban on holding a number of citizenships, signaling a historic shift in Ukraine’s strategy to nationhood.
Many foreigners dwelling in Ukraine have welcomed the information bringing them one step nearer to turning into Ukrainian residents.
“For some, being Ukrainian is a birthright. For others, it’s a selection,” Paul Niland, an Irish businessman who has referred to as Ukraine residence for over 20 years, instructed the Kyiv Unbiased.
“To be formally acknowledged as Ukrainian could be a supply of nice satisfaction.”
But, for some foreigners — together with these with ancestral claims and Worldwide Legion veterans who fought alongside Ukrainians in opposition to Russia — the trail to citizenship is obstructed by a lot of bureaucratic hurdles, casting painful doubt on how swiftly their desires can come true.
'A mind-set'
What started as a deliberate six-month keep changed into greater than 20 years for Irish-born businessman Niland, who got here to Ukraine 23 years in the past to initially go to some pals — and by no means appeared again.
Throughout his time in Ukraine, Niland has witnessed and brought half within the nation’s defining democratic political upheavals — the Orange Revolution to the Revolution of Dignity (EuroMaidan Revolution) — whereas additionally carving out a job within the nation’s evolving civil society. He has change into invested in doing his half to assist the nation develop, he says.
“Freedom, independence, constructing a greater nation for our kids — if we share these objectives and values, turning into Ukrainian is at the start a mind-set.”
Niland based Lifeline Ukraine in 2019 as a disaster hotline devoted to supporting conflict veterans grappling with emotional and psychological misery. Since then, the service has expanded its mission, providing vital psychological well being help to anybody in Ukraine in want.
For Niland, the prospect of a twin citizenship legislation “is a vital method of acknowledging the dedication that some folks, regardless of not being born right here, must the nation.” “This nice nation has gone via struggles that I’ve been part of and so this type of acceptance of others is a recognition of our widespread values, the values that (the Euro)Maidan was about and what we’ve fought for ever since,” he mentioned. “Freedom, independence, constructing a greater nation for our kids — if we share these objectives and values, turning into Ukrainian is at the start a mind-set.” Regardless of Ukrainian not being his native language, Niland’s “usually not involved” in regards to the obligatory exams within the Ukrainian language, historical past, and structure. He says he began talking Ukrainian in his day-to-day life a number of years in the past, and he’s prepared to check the structure and historical past intimately — it’s only a crucial formality in taking one other step to deepening his ties with the nation he has lengthy thought to be residence.
A person, a girl and a toddler look on as smoke rises over buildings in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Aug. 26, 2024. (Roman Pilipey / AFP by way of Getty Photos)
Why ancestry citizenship isn’t at all times simple
A part of the proposed laws goals to encourage members of the Ukrainian diaspora to pursue citizenship and strengthen their ties to the nation. Nonetheless, the method stays tough for a few of those that initially come from the Ukrainian diaspora and who’ve already been making an attempt for years to get citizenship. Journalist Larisa Kalik moved to Ukraine in 2020 after a felony case was opened in opposition to her in her native Transnistria, part of Moldova below Russian-occupation, for reporting on the systemic abuses of conscripts within the navy. She selected to relocate to Ukraine as a result of it introduced her “each security and a deep sense of belonging.” Kalik’s grandfather was additionally born in Lviv Oblast, and so she wished to pursue her declare to ancestral citizenship over making use of for refugee standing.
“On paper, making use of for citizenship via ancestry appears simple. In actuality, it’s a lot more durable,” she instructed the Kyiv Unbiased. “I’ve my grandfather’s start certificates, however his report isn’t within the digital registry. Once I reached out to the archives, responses have been delayed, and ultimately I used to be instructed there’s no official report there, both.” To maneuver her case ahead, Kalik would doubtless must go to courtroom to try to formally show that her grandfather was born and raised in Ukraine — a step that would result in a brand new start certificates being issued.
“It’s in Ukraine’s curiosity to open the door to those that’ve come right here with open hearts and good intentions.”
The prospect of additional prolonged delays for fundamental paperwork has discouraged her from prioritizing the method, dimming her hopes of shifting from her present residency standing to full citizenship.
“Although I say this with full respect and understanding for the way a lot Ukraine is already navigating as a consequence of Russia’s full-scale conflict,” she added.
Though Kalik cares deeply about her native Moldova, she says the bonds she has in-built Ukraine run a lot deeper — particularly whereas dwelling in Kyiv and reporting from the entrance line via Russia’s full-scale invasion. Her Ukrainian pals have additionally by no means handled her as a foreigner, and he or she speaks Ukrainian as a local language.
For her, acquiring a Ukrainian passport would merely formalize an id she already absolutely embraces.
“I actually hope Ukraine’s strategy to citizenship for foreigners turns into extra dynamic and responsive — particularly for these of us who’ve chosen to remain, contribute, and change into a part of this nation,” she mentioned.
“It’s in Ukraine’s curiosity to open the door to those that’ve come right here with open hearts and good intentions.”
International fighters’ struggles after battlefield
When Russia launched its full-scale conflict in opposition to Ukraine, Anthony — whose identify has been modified as a consequence of safety issues — took up arms in a department of the Worldwide Legion to defend the nation. He considers Ukraine his residence greater than the Western nation the place he was born and couldn’t simply sit round when so many harmless folks have been being killed.
However now, his future in Ukraine is unsure as a consequence of a sequence of bureaucratic hurdles — regardless of risking his life to defend the nation.
"(Acquiring Ukrainian citizenship) is an actual recognition of the sacrifices and dangers folks like I’ve undertaken once we answered the decision to defend the nation."
International recruits should serve a minimal of three years within the Worldwide Legion to qualify for everlasting residency, which is a vital step towards making use of for citizenship. Anthony, nevertheless, left the Worldwide Legion after two and a half years, as a consequence of inside issues inside the group that put folks’s lives at what he mentioned was pointless extra threat and made remaining close to unimaginable. A 2022 investigation by the Kyiv Unbiased into one department of Ukraine’s International Legion revealed that management was concerned in a lot of alleged scandals, together with abuse, theft, and sending troopers unprepared on reckless missions.
Regardless of the challenges he confronted within the Worldwide Legion, his love for Ukraine — the place he spent vital time earlier than the full-scale invasion — stays robust. It’s onerous to think about a future anyplace else, he says.
“After dwelling right here, preventing for Ukraine, risking my life for it and its folks, I really feel a part of this nation. Even after I return to (my residence nation within the West), it doesn’t really feel like residence anymore,” he instructed the Kyiv Unbiased.
Ukrainian servicemen of the Skala regiment artillery unit hearth an M109 howitzer towards Russian positions in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine, on April 23, 2025. (Roman Pilipey / AFP by way of Getty Photos)
“(Acquiring Ukrainian citizenship) is an actual recognition of the sacrifices and dangers folks like I’ve undertaken once we answered the decision to defend the nation. I misplaced quite a lot of pals that can by no means have this opportunity. I is probably not Ukrainian by ethnicity or start, however I really feel Ukrainian in my combat in opposition to Russia, and the potential for receiving Ukrainian citizenship is a recognition of that.”
As soon as an Worldwide Legion contract ends, former troopers have three months to formally resign or depart. After a number of deployments — a few of which Anthony believed he won’t survive — he now finds himself adrift, unsure about his subsequent steps.
In authorized phrases, his standing is now equal to that of a vacationer, topic to the 180-day visa-free keep permitted in Ukraine. Whereas he may search a short lived residence allow, he says doing so nearly appears like a pressured try to extract some recognition for his navy service.
“I killed the enemy in fight, risked my life many instances. I did my job silently and never for consideration. However I’m mainly nothing within the eyes of the state proper now.”
Word from the creator:
Hello there, it's Kate Tsurkan, thanks for studying my newest piece. As a foreigner dwelling in Ukraine for a few years, I couldn't be extra excited by the prospect of turning into a Ukrainian citizen. But, I do know there's quite a lot of bureaucratic purple tape that would make the desires of foreigners like myself to change into Ukrainian residents tough to appreciate. That being mentioned, I'm assured Ukraine will overcome these points. Should you like studying this type of factor, please contemplate supporting us and becoming a member of the Kyiv Unbiased as we speak.
52 of 71 Russian drones had been neutralized over Ukraine<p>Russia carried out an evening strike on Ukraine, launching 71 drones. Protection forces neutralized 52 enemy drones, however there have been hits within the Odesa, Sumy, and Kharkiv areas.</p>
Editor's word: It is a growing story and is being up to date. Israel launched airstrikes on Iranian territory on June 24, defying U.S. President Donald Trump's name for calm simply few hours after he introduced a ceasefire between the 2 nations, in keeping with the Occasions of Israel.
The assault comes lower than an hour after Trump informed reporters that "Israel must relax" as he criticized each nations for undermining the ceasefire he says he brokered.
"We principally have two nations which have been combating so lengthy and so arduous that they don't know what the f*ck they're doing," Trump mentioned on June 24.
Hours after Trump mentioned the ceasefire got here into impact, Israel accused Tehran of launching missiles towards its territory — an allegation Iran denied.
Following Iran's alleged missile strike, Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly spoke on the telephone and agreed that Israel would perform a restricted response. The air pressure strike focused a single "symbolic" radar set up.
Forward of Israel's strike, Trump wrote on Reality Social that all the Israeli planes "flip round and head dwelling, whereas doing a pleasant 'Aircraft Wave" to Iran."
In accordance with the Occasions of Israel, Israeli officers mentioned Trump was nonetheless sending messages promising that Israel wouldn’t assault Iran "after he knew we’d assault," a senior official informed the Kan public broadcaster.
Assault on Zaporizhzhia: 5 injured, housing, vehicles and infrastructure broken<p>5 folks have been injured because of 469 enemy strikes on 13 settlements within the Zaporizhzhia area on June 24, together with Zaporizhzhia, Vasylivka and Polohy districts. 23 stories of property harm have been recorded, together with housing and vehicles.</p>
It took firefighters two days to extinguish the flames at Oleksiy Tarnopolskiy's warehouse in Kyiv after a Russian assault on June 10. Nothing inside could possibly be saved from his tea and low enterprise.
Tarnopolskiy arrived on website to an "apocalyptic" scene at 5 a.m., one hour after a Russian drone struck a warehouse of his firm, Gemini, in Kyiv's Obolon district. Fortunately, none of Gemini's workers have been harm.
The corporate couldn't salvage any stock, and over per week later, the air continues to be thick with the scent of charred plastic and low. Strolling across the warped stays of the warehouse, which provided 30-40% of Gemini’s clients, Tarnopolskiy picks up ashy espresso packets that by some means remained intact.
"It's good packaging," he jokes as he shows them on a blackened metallic beam. The corporate's showroom stands behind the warehouse, plagued by glass shards and rubble.
Gemini is one in all many Ukrainian corporations to have suffered from Russia's relentless assaults because it launched its full-scale invasion in 2022. Reconstruction prices for companies are estimated at $64.4 billion over the subsequent 10 years. By November 2024, Russia had broken 500 giant and medium-sized personal and state-owned corporations, with numerous smaller companies affected, in accordance with the Kyiv College of Economics (KSE).
In contrast to residents of broken residences and homes, Ukrainian companies lack government-backed help applications, whereas struggle threat insurance coverage is tough to get. Like Gemini, corporations need to depend on their very own funds to get again on their ft.
Elevating cash to rebuild companies is deemed socially unacceptable amid a wartime tradition of donating to the military. Corporations which have accepted donations have been harshly criticized. As an alternative, most companies are left with restricted choices, like loans, which frequently don’t cowl the total extent of the injury.
Burned espresso machines and scorched packaging are seen among the many ruins of the Gemini tea and low warehouse after a Russian drone strike in Kyiv, Ukraine, on June 18, 2025. (Anastasiia Verzun / The Kyiv Unbiased)
"As a enterprise individual, I would really like some type of compensation, for instance, a no-interest credit score program. However there may be nothing," Tarnopolskiy stated.
Tarnopolskiy says that after the assault, Gemini’s greater than 1,000 clients constructed up over 29 years, largely gasoline stations, supermarkets, and quick meals eating places, stated they haven’t any plans to desert the corporate. He hasn’t needed to let go of any of the 150 workers both, and people working on the warehouse have been relocated to a manufacturing website within the suburbs that was spared from strikes.
Nonetheless, the losses are enormous, and Tarnopolskiy doesn't count on to recuperate this yr. The three,500 sq. meter warehouse alone will price $2 million to rebuild, and the corporate is hiring a personal group to research and calculate precise damages that it'll pay for out of its personal pocket.
Because the smoke settled, Tarnopolskiy reached out to different corporations that had beforehand been hit to seek out out what to do subsequent. He had lengthy accepted the dangers of working throughout struggle, however by no means anticipated to undergo such large damages.
Not one of the corporations had discovered government-sponsored compensation schemes. As an alternative, all of them logged the losses, anticipating that some program could be established sooner or later, maybe even within the type of Russian reparations, stated Tarnopolskiy.
Maksym Brevda, a businessman from Mykolaiv, southern Ukraine, has been ready to listen to again from the Mykolaiv metropolis administration for 2 and a half years after a Russian missile destroyed his automotive wash in 2022.
"Lots of these items weren't even absolutely paid off with our suppliers but, which now places us in a double bind: no product and a debt to cowl."
After filling out types describing the damages to his enterprise, a fee organized by town administration assessed the automotive wash. The fee defined that the data will probably be used when a compensation program begins, however nothing has come of it but.
Denmark, which 'adopted' Mykolaiv’s reconstruction effort, has help applications via companions just like the United Nations Growth Program (UNDP), however these are largely for agri-businesses, whereas its Export and Funding Fund (EIFO) focuses on giant loans of over 3 million euros. Brevda, who co-founded native enterprise affiliation MriyDiy, says the Danes have restricted choices for different smaller corporations.
The destruction of Maksym Brevda’s automotive wash, which was hit by a Russian missile in 2022 in Mykolaiv, Ukraine. Brevda has but to obtain compensation. (Maksym Brevda)
It will be extraordinarily onerous for Ukraine’s fiscally restricted authorities to introduce a program whereas the struggle continues, because the army and housing are prime priorities, stated Volodymyr Landa, a senior economist on the Middle for Financial Technique (CES), a suppose tank in Kyiv.
Judging by the prolonged course of to doc damages and the shortage of full compensation for broken properties, any future program for companies is unlikely to be environment friendly and complete, he added.
"For instance, the compensation mechanism for the Iraq-Kuwait Conflict 35 years in the past simply completed its work in 2022, paying about 15% of the full injury," he instructed the Kyiv Unbiased.
Various choices
Companies are as an alternative using accessible devices. Some are making use of for favorable loans below the federal government's 5-7-9% program, which provides decreased rates of interest for companies, though there isn’t a particular possibility for broken companies.
This hasn't labored for everybody. Brevda wanted $80,000 to restore his automotive wash, however may solely take out a most of $6,000 below this system, and the method was excessively sluggish. As an alternative, he offered 50% of his enterprise to non-public buyers to fund its reconstruction. Many different broken corporations he is aware of have needed to do the identical.
Because the struggle drags on, some struggle threat insurance coverage choices have emerged via worldwide monetary establishments just like the European Financial institution for Reconstruction and Growth (EBRD) and the Ukrainian authorities. The speed goes up the nearer the asset is to the entrance line, and there are nonetheless no choices for these proper subsequent to the combating.
CES says one resolution is to herald reinsurance choices, i.e., insurance coverage for insurance coverage corporations, sponsored by monetary organizations or personal buyers, to offer extra choices for companies. This implies dangers may be unfold throughout a number of insurance coverage corporations, permitting for better lending capability and better returns.
Oleksiy Tarnopolskiy on a ruins of his warehouse in Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine on June 18, 2025. (Anastasiia Verzun/ The Kyiv Unbiased)
Within the meantime, companies have discovered probably the most help from one another and their companions. Clients and suppliers rallied behind OMG Sneakers after the corporate misplaced 35% of its manufacturing capability and 1 million hryvnia ($24,000) in supplies throughout the identical assault that hit Gemini on June 10.
"Lots of these items weren't even absolutely paid off with our suppliers but, which now places us in a double bind: no product and a debt to cowl," proprietor Oksana Holod instructed the Kyiv Unbiased.
After the assault on the manufacturing facility, suppliers referred to as to postpone funds, and clients shared messages on social media, resulting in a tenfold surge in orders. In sooner or later, practically all of the remaining inventory was offered out.
Gemini acquired related help from companions who provided donations, which Tarnopolskiy turned down, insisting that cash go to army or humanitarian wants.
"One of the best ways to assist a enterprise is extra orders, extra shoppers, and extra purchases. We need to set an instance. We’re open and we need to work," Tarnopolskiy stated.
Be aware from the writer:
Hello, it’s Dominic, thanks for studying this story. I've spent three years assembly companies in Ukraine, from small startups to state-owned giants, and I'm at all times amazed by how decided they’re to maintain going within the face of Russian aggression. It's extraordinarily onerous for corporations proper now, and extra help is clearly wanted to assist them bounce again from the horrible assaults that preserve hitting the nation every day. To assist us preserve bringing you tales like this, please contemplate becoming a member of our neighborhood for as little as a cup of espresso a month.
The Kyiv IndependentAlisa Yurchenko
