Ukraine-Russia News
LAST UPDATE: July 26, 2025
Zelenskiy says Ukraine has secured funds for three Patriot systems, looking to finance seven more
President Zelenskiy announced Ukraine has secured funding for three Patriot missile systems (two from Germany, one from Norway) and is negotiating to finance seven more. Ukraine faces a $40 billion funding gap in 2026, including $6 billion needed for missile interceptor production and $25 billion for additional military support.
Insight
Securing Patriot systems bolsters Ukraine’s defense amid intensifying Russian missile strikes. However, the substantial financing gap highlights Ukraine’s dependency on allied funding and the scale of wartime economic strain.
Zelensky says negotiators have ‘begun to discuss’ possible Putin meeting
Ukrainian President Zelensky stated that negotiators from Kyiv and Moscow have begun discussing a possible direct meeting between him and Putin. He emphasized that a leaders’ meeting could initiate progress toward ending the war.
Insight
While Ukraine is pushing for a summit as a diplomatic breakthrough, it is still early-stage. The Kremlin would likely only accept such a meeting as a final step in any peace process.
Kremlin says Putin and Zelenskiy can only meet as final step to clinch a peace deal
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated that any Putin–Zelenskiy summit would only be feasible as the final step to conclude peace negotiations, and likely not before the end of August.
Insight
Moscow is setting clear preconditions to manage expectations and maintain negotiation leverage; this stance highlights the gap between diplomatic signals and concrete progress.
EU lawmakers eye faster Russian gas phase out, documents show
Draft proposals show European Parliament lawmakers aim to accelerate the phase‑out of Russian gas imports by one year, targeting January 1, 2027 instead of 2028.
Insight
This reflects European lawmakers’ push for stronger climate and energy independence measures, leveraging legislative amendments in ongoing EU negotiations.
Erdogan says he may speak to Trump, Putin this week for leaders meeting on Ukraine
Turkish President Erdogan indicated he may call U.S. President Trump and Russian President Putin this week to explore convening a leaders’ meeting in Istanbul to discuss Ukraine.
Insight
Turkey is actively positioning itself as a mediator, seeking to convene high-level dialogue and possibly facilitate progress in Ukraine peace efforts.
US, China confront each other on Ukraine at United Nations
At the UN, U.S. Ambassador Dorothy Shea accused China of “fueling Russia’s aggression” by supplying dual-use technology to Russia; China countered by accusing Washington of shifting blame.
Insight
The confrontation reveals increasing geopolitical polarization over Ukraine, with both superpowers using diplomacy to shape the narrative on global stages.
