Ukraine-Russia News
LAST UPDATE: June 26, 2025
Slovakia demands delay in vote on new Russian sanctions over energy concerns
Slovakia’s finance minister called on June 25 to postpone an EU vote on fresh Russian sanctions, expressing concern that additional measures could disrupt energy supplies during summer.
Insight
The plea underscores divisions within the EU over balancing geopolitical pressure on Russia with protecting regional energy security, particularly for smaller economies heavily reliant on Russian gas.
Russia says European arms supplies to Ukraine increase the threat of destabilisation in Europe
Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov warned that European delivery of arms and mercenaries to Ukraine could prolong the conflict and heighten the risk of destabilisation, potentially spreading into European territories (timesofisrael.com).
Insight
Moscow is using this rhetoric to justify possible retaliatory measures or to influence European unity on military aid, framing Western support for Ukraine as a direct security threat to its own region.
Zelensky urges trial for ‘war criminal’ Putin
Ukrainian President Zelensky advocated for the prosecution of Vladimir Putin as a war criminal, emphasising that aggression must be met with justice. His remarks followed signing an agreement with the Council of Europe to create a special tribunal .
Insight
Zelensky’s position reinforces Ukraine’s push for accountability mechanisms beyond the ICC, placing pressure on European governments to back a dedicated tribunal with legal and political commitment to hold Putin answerable.
