War in Ukraine could end 'within weeks,' Putin open to peacekeepers, Trump claims

The head of the French army, General Thierry Burkhard, attributed Russia's view of Paris as a primary adversary largely to France's unwavering support for Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused the U.S., South Korea, and Japan of military buildups around North Korea. "We warn against exploiting these ties to build alliances directed against anyone, including North Korea and, of course, Russia."

Zelensky said Ukraine "requires more positive momentum in relations with the United States, alongside new steps in managing the nation's defense sector."

"Dmytro should never have been a target. I thank our soldiers for their just retribution. No occupier who brought death and destruction to our land will escape punishment," Kherson Oblast Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said.

Russia's position, conveyed to both U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian officials, marks a notable shift given Russia's historical public advocacy for Iran's right to enrich.

While Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said the sanctions package itself is not objectionable, his government has blocked the proposal over concerns about a separate EU plan to fully phase out Russian gas imports by 2028.

Russia continued its attacks on western Ukrainian cities overnight on July 12, striking communities far from the front line with drone swarms and missile attacks for the third straight night.

The man, identified only as Yevgeny, reportedly served in a Wagner assault unit and fought in eastern Ukraine, including in Bakhmut and around Selydove.

"This is a story about humanity, the incredible power of a parent's decision, and the chance for life even in the most difficult times," the hospital said in a statement.

Speaking at a ceremony in Chelm marking the 82nd anniversary of the 1943-44 Volyn massacres, Polish President-elect Karol Nawrocki said the victims "do not cry out for revenge, but for a cross, a grave, and memory," and urged Ukraine to authorize further work across multiple sites.

German Major General Christian Freuding confirmed that the weapons systems' initial deliveries are expected by the end of July. The arms will be supplied in a "high triple-digit quantity," he said.

Russia launched 623 aerial weapons overnight, including 339 Shahed-type drones, various decoy UAVs, and 26 Kh-101 cruise missiles, the Air Force said.

"Cut off the head, impale it on a pike, throw it the f**k away," says the voice attributed by HUR to a company commander from Russia's infamous 155th Marine Brigade. The intelligence agency said the order, intercepted on July 10, concerned a Ukrainian prisoner of war (POW).