Zaporizhzhia Oblast Governor Oleksandr Starukh reported on April 15 that over 20 of the kidnapped officials have been released.
Germany has offered to acquire U.S. Patriot units specifically for transfer to Ukraine, which has recently endured some of the war's most intense Russian attacks.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune indicated on July 14 that the Senate would likely delay advancing a significant package of sanctions targeting Russia's trading partners.
"On one hand, it is very positive that President Trump is taking on a strong stance on Russia... On the other hand, 50 days is a very long time if we see that they are killing innocent civilians," EU Special Envoy Kaja Kallas said.
Slovakia is likely to approve the EU's 18th sanctions package against Russia following assurances provided by the bloc to Bratislava, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico hinted on July 14.
"Denmark has now contributed to strengthening Ukraine's satellite-based communications in their defense against Russia. There is a very large potential in space-based solutions that can contribute to both Ukrainian, Danish, and European defense," Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said.
Ukraine's economic crimes agency is still without a head following a controversial selection process, raising fresh concerns about the government's commitment to anti-corruption and international obligations.
"They believe that a new agreement within the framework of the (Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area) DCFTA could destabilize European markets," a source present during an EU Agriculture Council meeting told European Pravda.
When asked when certain weapons, including missiles to Patriot air defense systems, were expected to arrive in Ukraine, Trump responded by saying "a full complement with the batteries... We're going to have some come very soon, within days."
"Denys Shmyhal's extensive experience will definitely be valuable in the position of Ukraine’s defense minister," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
"We're gonna be doing very severe tariffs if we don't have a deal in 50 days. Tariffs that are about 100%, we call them secondary tariffs," Donald Trump said in a joint press conference in the White House alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
