Overview

• Putin said he will meet President Zelenskyy only during a “final phase” of negotiations that could start after June 22 and involve prisoner and remains exchanges.
• Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported 28 deaths and over 130 injuries in what officials called the city’s heaviest missile and drone barrage in years.
• Russian strikes extended beyond Kyiv to hit Odesa and the Sumy region, targeting both civilian areas and military positions.
• Moscow has reinforced its campaign with thousands of North Korean soldiers and a surge of Iranian drones and ammunition, with suspected Chinese support.
• Ukraine is pursuing US-backed defence projects through a G7 investment fund as Slovak police detain eight officials over alleged misuse of €7.4 million in military aid.